Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K9/00—Medicinal preparations characterised by special physical form
  • A61K9/0012—Galenical forms characterised by the site of application
  • A61K9/0019—Injectable compositions; Intramuscular, intravenous, arterial, subcutaneous administration; Compositions to be administered through the skin in an invasive manner
  • A61K9/0024—Solid, semi-solid or solidifying implants, which are implanted or injected in body tissue
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K31/00—Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients
  • A61K31/33—Heterocyclic compounds
  • A61K31/395—Heterocyclic compounds having nitrogen as a ring hetero atom, e.g. guanethidine or rifamycins
  • A61K31/435—Heterocyclic compounds having nitrogen as a ring hetero atom, e.g. guanethidine or rifamycins having six-membered rings with one nitrogen as the only ring hetero atom
  • A61K31/47—Quinolines; Isoquinolines
  • A61K31/472—Non-condensed isoquinolines, e.g. papaverine
  • A61K31/4725—Non-condensed isoquinolines, e.g. papaverine containing further heterocyclic rings
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K31/00—Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients
  • A61K31/33—Heterocyclic compounds
  • A61K31/395—Heterocyclic compounds having nitrogen as a ring hetero atom, e.g. guanethidine or rifamycins
  • A61K31/435—Heterocyclic compounds having nitrogen as a ring hetero atom, e.g. guanethidine or rifamycins having six-membered rings with one nitrogen as the only ring hetero atom
  • A61K31/47—Quinolines; Isoquinolines
  • A61K31/4738—Quinolines; Isoquinolines ortho- or peri-condensed with heterocyclic ring systems
  • A61K31/4745—Quinolines; Isoquinolines ortho- or peri-condensed with heterocyclic ring systems condensed with ring systems having nitrogen as a ring hetero atom, e.g. phenantrolines
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K31/00—Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients
  • A61K31/70—Carbohydrates; Sugars; Derivatives thereof
  • A61K31/7028—Compounds having saccharide radicals attached to non-saccharide compounds by glycosidic linkages
  • A61K31/7034—Compounds having saccharide radicals attached to non-saccharide compounds by glycosidic linkages attached to a carbocyclic compound, e.g. phloridzin
  • A61K31/704—Compounds having saccharide radicals attached to non-saccharide compounds by glycosidic linkages attached to a carbocyclic compound, e.g. phloridzin attached to a condensed carbocyclic ring system, e.g. sennosides, thiocolchicosides, escin, daunorubicin
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K38/00—Medicinal preparations containing peptides
  • A61K38/04—Peptides having up to 20 amino acids in a fully defined sequence; Derivatives thereof
  • A61K38/08—Peptides having 5 to 11 amino acids
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K38/00—Medicinal preparations containing peptides
  • A61K38/16—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
  • A61K38/17—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
  • A61K38/19—Cytokines; Lymphokines; Interferons
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K38/00—Medicinal preparations containing peptides
  • A61K38/16—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
  • A61K38/17—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
  • A61K38/19—Cytokines; Lymphokines; Interferons
  • A61K38/193—Colony stimulating factors [CSF]
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K39/00—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies
  • A61K39/39—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies characterised by the immunostimulating additives, e.g. chemical adjuvants
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K47/00—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient
  • A61K47/30—Macromolecular organic or inorganic compounds, e.g. inorganic polyphosphates
  • A61K47/36—Polysaccharides; Derivatives thereof, e.g. gums, starch, alginate, dextrin, hyaluronic acid, chitosan, inulin, agar or pectin
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K47/00—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient
  • A61K47/30—Macromolecular organic or inorganic compounds, e.g. inorganic polyphosphates
  • A61K47/42—Proteins; Polypeptides; Degradation products thereof; Derivatives thereof, e.g. albumin, gelatin or zein
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K9/00—Medicinal preparations characterised by special physical form
  • A61K9/0012—Galenical forms characterised by the site of application
  • A61K9/0019—Injectable compositions; Intramuscular, intravenous, arterial, subcutaneous administration; Compositions to be administered through the skin in an invasive manner
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K9/00—Medicinal preparations characterised by special physical form
  • A61K9/06—Ointments; Bases therefor; Other semi-solid forms, e.g. creams, sticks, gels

Definitions

• This application incorporates-by-reference nucleotide and/or amino acid sequences which are present in the file named "29297-127001WO_SEQUENCE_LISTING.txt,” which is 53.9 kilobytes in size, and which was created January 29, 2016 in the IBM-PC machine format, having an operating system compatibility with MS-Windows, which is contained in the text file filed January 29, 2016 as part of this application.
• a flexible injectable biomaterial cryogel or hydrogel (such as a click hydrogel) is administered into a tumor or to an anatomical location in the proximity of a tumor, e.g. , in direct contact with the tumor/touching the tumor, within about 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1 mm of a tumor, or into the tumor mass itself, to deliver immune modulating agents directly to the site of a growing tumor to facilitate cancer immunotherapy while bypassing systemic delivery (which can be associated with adverse side effects) and without loading a tumor antigen or tumor lysate into the delivery device prior to administration, e.g., injection, to a patient.
• systemic delivery which can be associated with adverse side effects
• the device e.g., a cryogel or hydrogel
• Peritumoral delivery substantially surrounds (50, 75, 85, 95, 99 -100% of the perimeter of a tumor mass) the tumor with the device/gel, either by direct physical contact or in close proximity to the tumor mass boundary.
• Intratumoral delivery is carried out by direct administration into a tumor mass through the boundary between tumor and normal tissue.
• the biomaterial may be administered adjacent to but without compromising the integrity, e.g. piercing, of a tumor capsule, e.g., in the case of a solid tumor.
• the tumor capsule is compromised or pierced (intratumoral injection).
• the tumor completely or partially envelopes a device or scaffold that is placed touching or proximal to the tumor.
• the device or scaffold reshapes immune cell localization at or within the tumor.
• the present subject matter also relates to the administration of the biomaterial directly into the tumor (intratumoral), e.g., using a needle. Any tumor that can be diagnosed by taking a needle biopsy is treated in this manner.
• tumors to be treated include breast, brain, lung, prostate, liver, bone, thyroid, skin, cervical, ovarian, endometrial, colon, bladder, and additional tumor types described below.
• the tumor is a solid tumor or a discrete tumor within defined, detectable boundaries. Accordingly, the present subject matter provides a method of reducing tumor- mediated immune evasion comprising administering to a tumor site (e.g., into a tumor (touching) or to a site adjacent to or in the proximity of a solid or discrete tumor mass) a tumor site (e.g., into a tumor (touching) or to a site adjacent to or in the proximity of a solid or discrete tumor mass) a tumor site (e.g., into a tumor (touching) or to a site adjacent to or in the proximity of a solid or discrete tumor mass) a tumor site (e.g., into a tumor (touching) or to a site adjacent to or in the proximity of a solid or discrete tumor mass) a tumor site (e.g., into a tumor (touching) or to a site adjacent to or in the proximity of a solid or discrete tumor mass) a tumor site (e.g., into
• the inhibitor comprises a Transforming Growth Factor-Beta (TGF- ⁇ ) pathway inhibitor, a Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway inhibitor or an indoleamine-pyrrole 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO or INDO EC 1.13.11.52) inhibitor.
• TGF- ⁇ Transforming Growth Factor-Beta
• STAT3 Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3
• IDO or INDO EC 1.13.11.52 indoleamine-pyrrole 2,3-dioxygenase
• the inhibitor comprises at least one small molecule such as the TGF- ⁇ pathway inhibitor LY2157299, GW788388, LY364947, R268712, RepSox, SB525334, and SD208; and/or the STAT3 pathway inhibitor BP-1-102, S3I-M2001, STA-21, S3I-201, Stattic, Galiellalactone, a polypeptide having the sequence PY*LKTK (where Y* represents phosphotyrosine; SEQ ID NO: 1), and a polypeptide having the sequence Y*LPQTV (where Y* represents phosphotyrosine; SEQ ID NO: 2); and/or the IDO inhibitor INCB24360, NLG919 (also known as GDC-0919), Norharmane, Pvosmarinic Acid, 1-Methyltryptophan, and indoximod.
• the TGF- ⁇ pathway inhibitor LY2157299, GW788388, LY364947, R268712, RepSox
• the inhibitor comprises a blocker of an immune checkpoint protein such as programmed cell death 1 protein (PD-1), PD-1 ligand 1 (PD-L1), Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4), lymphocyte activation gene-3 (LAG-3), Cluster of Differentiation 276 (CD276; also known as B7-H3), and/or T-cell immunoglobulin domain and mucin domain 3 (TIM3) inhibitors.
• the inhibitor of an immune checkpoint protein includes an anti-PD-1 antibody, an anti-PD-Ll antibody, and/or an anti-CTLA-4 antibody.
• the device does not comprise a tumor antigen, e.g., a patient-derived tumor antigen or tumor cell lysate (or other tumor antigen), prior to administration to the tumor location of a subject.
• the device contains nanopores, micropores, macropores, or a combination thereof.
• the size of micropores and macropores permits cell migration or movement (e.g., immune cell, e.g., DC migration into and/or egress out of the delivery vehicle) through the micropores and macropores.
• the composition comprises pores that are characterized by a diameter of 1-600 ⁇ (e.g., 10-600 ⁇ , 20-600 ⁇ , 50-600 ⁇ , 10-500 ⁇ , 20-500 ⁇ , 50-500 ⁇ , or 10-300 ⁇ ).
• the device further comprises a chemotherapeutic agent that induces death, e.g., immunogenic cell death, of tumor cells.
• a chemotherapeutic agent that induces death, e.g., immunogenic cell death, of tumor cells.
• Immunogenic cell death is a form of cell death that is recognized by the immune system and results in immune activation (as opposed to apoptosis as seen with most other chemo therapeutics).
• calreticulin is presented on the surface of dying cells allowing tumor antigen to be engulfed; high mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB 1) is released which results in toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) stimulation on dendritic cells to cause their maturation; and release of ATP from the dying cells resulting in recruitment of antigen presenting cells into the tumor bed.
• HMGB 1 protein high mobility group box 1 protein
• TLR-4 toll-like receptor-4
• chemotherapeutic agents include members of the anthracycline class of compounds, e.g., doxorubicin, daunorubicin, epirubicin, idarubicin, and valrubicin as well as mitoxantrone, an anthracycline analog.
• This class of compounds is preferred due to their ability to activate the immune system, in addition to directly killing cancer cells.
• the agents oxaliplatin and cyclophosphamide also lead to immunogenic cell death.
• Non-limiting examples of compounds that induce immunogenic cell death include shikonin, the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib, 7A7 (an epidermal growth factor receptor- specific antibody), cardiac glycosides, and vorinostat (a histone deacetylase inhibitor). See, e.g., H Inoue and K Tani (2014) Cell Death and Differentiation 21, 39-49, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
• the device is utilized in combination with radiation therapy, which also leads to immunogenic cell death, as well as other approaches that kill tumor cells while activating immune responses to the tumor.
• the scaffold further comprises a hyperthermia-inducing composition.
• Suitable hyperthermia-inducing compositions include a magnetic nanoparticle or a near infrared (NIR) absorbing nanoparticle.
• the nanoparticle is magnetic
• the method further comprises contacting the magnetic nanoparticle with an alternative magnetic field (AMF) to induce local hyperthermia in situ, thereby altering or disrupting the cancer cell and producing a processed tumor antigen.
• the method further comprises contacting the NIR nanoparticle with NIR radiation to induce local hyperthermia in situ, thereby altering or disrupting the cancer cell and producing a processed tumor antigen.
• Hyperthermia is characterized by a local temperature of greater than 37 degrees Celsius (°C).
• the temperature of the device is temporarily heated to about 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95°C or more.
• the hyperthermia-inducing composition is on the surface of a device or scaffold of the invention, e.g., the device of scaffold is coated with the hyperthermia-inducing composition.
• the hyperthermia-inducing composition is within or throughout a device or scaffold.
• the scaffold further comprises a radioactive isotope.
• Suitable radioactive isotopes include iodine-131, iodine-125, rhenium-185, phosphorous-33, phosphorous- 32, palladium- 100, palladium- 101, palladium-201, palladium- 103, palladium- 105, palladium- 106, palladium- 108, palladium- 109, palladium- 110, palladium- 111, palladium- 112, caesium-137, iridium-192, cobalt-60, lutetium-177, yttrium-90, thallium-201, gallium-67, technetium-99m, strontium-90, or strontium-89.
• the radioactive isotope is on the surface of a device or scaffold of the invention, e.g., the device of scaffold is coated with the radioactive isotope.
• the radioactive isotope composition is within or throughout a device or scaffold.
• the tumor comprises a discrete tumor with defined boundaries.
• the tumor is a solid tumor or localized tumor mass.
• the biomaterial- containing device is placed directly onto the tumor mass, into the tumor mass, or adjacent to the tumor mass (i.e., physically in contact with or in close proximity to) the tumor mass itself rather than at a site remote (e.g., more than 10 mm from) from the tumor mass, e.g., placed under the skin at a site remote from the tumor.
• a site remote e.g., more than 10 mm from
• patient- derived material e.g., a patient-derived or biopsied tumor lysate or processed antigen
• the scaffold or device does not comprise a tumor antigen prior to being administered to the subject.
• the tumor is of a cancer that is other than a cancer of blood cells, such as leukemia.
• the cancer is metastatic.
• the tumor is a sarcoma or carcinoma tumor.
• Non- limiting tumors which may be targeted in embodiments of the present subject matter include breast cancer, testicular cancer, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, lung cancer, thyroid cancer, liver cancer (e.g., non-small cell lung cancer), colon, esophagus cancer, stomach cancer, cervical, brain cancer, renal cancer, retinoblastoma, osteosarcoma, osteosarcoma, chondroblastoma, chondrosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, Wilms tumor, malignant rhabdoid, hepatoblastoma,
• the needle may be guided visually and/or with the assistance of an imaging device such as an X-ray (e.g., using a computerized tomography (CT) scan), ultrasound, endoscope, or laparoscope device.
• an imaging device such as an X-ray (e.g., using a computerized tomography (CT) scan), ultrasound, endoscope, or laparoscope device.
• CT computerized tomography
• the methods and biomaterial devices of the present subject matter are useful for treating any vertebrate subject who suffers from a tumor.
• the subject is an amphibian, reptile, equine, mammal, rodent, canine, feline, avian, porcine, or primate subject.
• human medical and veterinarian implementations of the present subject matter are provided.
• the subject is a dog, a cat (such as a domesticated cat or a cat such as a lion, a tiger, a leopard, or a cheetah), a guinea pig, a pig, a horse, a donkey, a mule, a mouse, a rat, a monkey, a chimpanzee, a gorilla, an orangutan, a bear (such as a panda bear), or a camel.
• the present subject also provides animals other than humans comprising a biomaterial device disclosed herein.
• biomaterial device comprising the active components described above.
• the biomaterial device contains an
• the biomaterial further comprises one or more of (i) a compound that causes immunological cell death of a tumor cell; (ii) a compound that inhibits T cell or dendritic cell suppression; and (iii) a cytokine (e.g., a chemoattractant of immune cells, such as dendritic cells).
• a compound that causes immunological cell death of a tumor cell e.g., a tumor cell
• a compound that inhibits T cell or dendritic cell suppression e.g., a chemoattractant of immune cells, such as dendritic cells.
• the immuno stimulatory compound is a CpG oligonucleotide, poly (I:C), monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA), imiquimod, or a cyclic dinucleotide (such as a cyclic purine dinucleotide).
• a cyclic dinucleotide such as a cyclic purine dinucleotide.
• Non-limiting examples of cyclic dinucleotides are described in U.S. Patent
• Cyclic-di-nucleotides include, but are not limited to, c-di-adenosine monophosphate (AMP), c-di-guanosine
• Phosphorothioates are a variant of normal nucleotides in which one of the nonbridging oxygens is replaced by a sulfur.
• phosphates in this structure may each exist in R or S forms.
• Rp,Rp, Sp,Sp, and Rp,Sp forms are possible.
• preferred are substantially pure Rp,Rp and Rp,Sp diastereomers of these molecules.
• CDN thiophosphate molecules include thiophosphate forms of Rp,Rp-c-di- adenosine monophosphate; Rp,Sp-c-di-adenosine monophosphate; Rp,Rp-c-di-guanosine monophosphate and Rp,Sp-c-di-guanosine monophosphate.
• the compound that causes immunological cell death is doxorubicin, mitoxantrone, oxaliplatin, or paclitaxel.
• the compound that inhibits T cell or dendritic cell suppression is a TGF- ⁇ inhibitor, a STAT3 inhibitor, an IDO inhibitor, an anti-PD-1 antibody, or an anti-CTLA-4 antibody.
• the cytokine is GM-CSF, Flt3L, XCL1, IL-2, or IL-12.
• a device or scaffold of the present subject matter comprises a mRNA or expression vector that encodes a protein such as an immunostimulatory compound or a cytokine.
• the mRNA or expression vector may be combined in the device or scaffold with the polypeptide it encodes, or without the polypeptide it encodes.
• a device or scaffold comprises a mRNA molecule or an expression vector that encodes a cytokine described herein, such as a cytokine that attracts a dendritic cell into the device or scaffold.
• the mRNA or expression vector is condensed to facilitate delivery to cells of the subject.
• the mRNA or expression vector may be present in a device or scaffold with a transfection agent.
• the mRNA or expression vector may be condensed with polyethylimine (PEI), poly-L-lysine (PLL), or a polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer.
• PEI polyethylimine
• PLL poly-L-lysine
• PAMAM polyamidoamine dendrimer
• transfection agents include liposomes (e.g., lipofectamine).
• aspects of the present subject matter provide a method of reducing tumor-mediated immune evasion comprising administering to a tumor site a biodegradable porous polymeric device comprising (a) an inhibitor of T cell or dendritic cell suppression or (b) an immunostimulatory compound, wherein said device lacks a tumor antigen prior to administration to a subject.
• the device comprises an inhibitor of T cell or dendritic cell suppression.
• the device comprises an immunostimulatory compound.
• said inhibitor comprises a transforming growth factor-beta (TGF- ⁇ ) pathway inhibitor, or a signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway inhibitor.
• TGF- ⁇ transforming growth factor-beta
• STAT3 signal transducer and activator of transcription 3
• said inhibitor comprises a small molecule, an aptamer, a protein, an RNAi molecule, an antibody, or an antibody fragment.
• the small molecule is an organic compound having a molecular weight less than 1000 Daltons.
• said TGF- ⁇ pathway inhibitor comprises LY2157299 GW788388, LY364947, R268712, RepSox, SB525334, or SD208 and said STAT3 pathway inhibitor comprises BP-1-102, S3I-M2001, STA-21, S3I-201, Stattic, Galiellalactone, a polypeptide having the sequence PY*LKTK (where Y* represents phosphotyrosine), and a polypeptide having the sequence
• Y*LPQTV (where Y* represents phosphotyrosine).
• said inhibitor comprises an inhibitor of an immune checkpoint.
• the inhibitor of an immune checkpoint is a PD-1 pathway inhibitor, a LAG-3 pathway inhibitor, an IDO pathway inhibitor, a B7-H3 pathway inhibitor, or a TIM3 pathway inhibitor.
• said inhibitor is a small molecule, an aptamer, a protein, an RNAi molecule, an antibody, or an antibody fragment.
• the small molecule is an organic compound having a molecular weight less than 1000 Daltons.
• the inhibitor is an antibody.
• said antibody comprises an anti-PD-1 antibody, an anti-PD-Ll antibody, or an anti-CTLA-4 antibody.
• the anti-PD-1 antibody is nivolumab, pembrolizumab, or pidilizumab. In some embodiments, the anti-PD-Ll antibody is BMS-936559 or MPDL3280A.
• the antibody is a Fv, Fab, Fab', Fab'-SH, F (ab')2, diabody, a linear antibodies or a scFv.
• the antibody is a polyclonal antibody, a monoclonal antibody, a chimeric antibody, a humanized antibody, or a human antibody.
• said inhibitor is an IDO inhibitor.
• said IDO inhibitor is an IDOl inhibitor.
• said inhibitor is a small molecule, an aptamer, a protein, a RNAi molecule, an antibody, or an antibody fragment.
• the small molecule is an organic compound having a molecular weight less than 1000 Daltons.
• the small molecule is INCB24360 or NLG919.
• said device further comprises an immunogenic cell death-inducing chemotherapeutic agent.
• said chemotherapeutic agent comprises a member of the anthracycline class of compounds.
• said chemotherapeutic agent comprises doxorubicin.
• said tumor comprises a solid tumor or localized tumor mass.
• said device does not comprise a purified tumor antigen or tumor cell lysate prior to administration to said tumor site.
• said device comprises a hydrogel.
• said device comprises a cryogel.
• said cryogel comprises pores.
• said device comprises a methacrylated gelatin cryogel or a click alginate cryogel.
• said device comprises an alginate hydrogel.
• the alginate hydrogel is an alginate cryogel.
• said alginate hydrogel comprises a click alginate.
• the device is administered via injection.
• the device is injected into the tumor.
• the device is injected to a site in the subject within about 0.1- 10mm from the tumor.
• the device further comprises a cytokine or a mRNA or expression vector encoding a cytokine.
• the cytokine is granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (Flt3L), Chemokine (C-C Motif) Ligand 20 (CCL20), Interleukin 15 (IL-15), Chemokine (C Motif) Ligand 1 (XCLl), Chemokine (C-X-C Motif) Ligand 10 (CXCLIO), Interferon Alpha 1 (IFN-alpha), Interferon Beta (IFN-beta), or Interleukin 12 (IL- 12).
• GM-CSF granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor
• Flt3L FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand
• C-C Motif Chemokine (C-C Motif) Ligand 20 (CCL20), Interleukin 15 (IL-15), Chemokine (C Motif) Ligand 1 (X
• the device further comprises an immunostimulatory compound.
• the immunostimulatory compound is CpG, polyinosine-polycytidylic acid (poly (I:Q) PEI-poly (I:C), polyadenylic-polyuridylic acid (poly (A:U)), PEI-poly (A:U), double stranded ribonucleic acid (RNA), monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA), Imiquimod, or an immuno stimulatory antibody.
• the device has a volume of about 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, or 50-500 ⁇ 1 or less than about 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, or 50-500 ⁇ 1.
• said device further comprises laponite.
• aspects of the present subject matter provide a method of treating a subject afflicted with a tumor, comprising administering to a tumor site a biodegradable porous polymeric device comprising (a) an inhibitor of T cell or dendritic cell suppression or (b) and immunostimulatory compound, wherein said device lacks a tumor antigen prior to administration to a subject.
• the device comprises an inhibitor of T cell or dendritic cell suppression.
• the device comprises an immunostimulatory compound.
• treating the subject comprises (a) reducing the volume of the tumor; (b) reducing the growth of the tumor; (c) reducing metastasis of the tumor; (d) increasing the survival of the subject; (e) increasing the progression free survival of the subject; (f) increasing a T cell response to an antigen within the tumor; and/or (g) vaccinating the subject to an antigen within the tumor.
• treating the subject comprises reducing the volume of the tumor at least about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, or 100%.
• treating the subject comprises reducing the volume of the tumor at least about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, or 100% within about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 21, 28, 35, 41, 48, 180, 365 or 1-365 days or within about 1-12 months.
• biodegradable porous polymeric device is administered to the subject; or (b) two such biodegradable porous polymeric devices are administered to the subject.
• said device comprises an alginate hydrogel.
• said alginate hydrogel comprises a click alginate.
• the device is administered via injection. In some embodiments, the device is injected into the tumor.
• the device is injected to a site in the subject within about 0-lOmm from the tumor.
• the device further comprises a cytokine.
• the cytokine is granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor
• GM-CSF FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand
• Flt3L FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand
• Chemokine (C-C Motif) Ligand 20 CCL20
• Interleukin 15 IL-15
• Chemokine (C Motif) Ligand 1 XCLl
• Chemokine (C-X-C Motif) Ligand 10 CXCL10
• Interferon Alpha 1 IFN-alpha
• Interferon Beta IFN-beta
• IL- 12 Interleukin 12
• the device further comprises an immunostimulatory compound.
• the immunostimulatory compound is CpG, polyinosine-polycytidylic acid (poly (I:C)) PEI-poly (I:C), polyadenylic-polyuridylic acid (poly (A:U)), PEI-poly (A:U), double stranded ribonucleic acid (RNA), monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA), or Imiquimod.
• the device has a volume of about 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, or 50-500 ⁇ 1 or less than about 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, or 50-500 ⁇ 1.
• said subject has bene identified as comprising a solid tumor.
• a biodegradable porous polymeric device comprising at least two of (a) a compound that induces immunogenic cell death of a tumor cell; (b) a compound that attracts an immune cell to or into the device; (c) an immunostimulatory compound; and (d) a compound that inhibits tumor-mediated T cell or dendritic cell suppression.
• the device comprises an immunostimulatory compound.
• the immunostimulatory compound comprises a CpG oligonucleotide, poly (I:C), monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA), imiquimod, or a cyclic dinucleotide.
• the device comprises a compound that induces immunogenic cell death of a tumor cell.
• the compound that induces immunogenic cell death of a tumor cell comprises doxorubicin, mitoxantrone, oxaliplatin, or paclitaxel.
• the device comprises a compound that attracts an immune cell to or into the device.
• compound that attracts an immune cell to or into the device is GM- CSF, Flt3L, XCL1, IL-2, or IL-12.
• the compound that attracts an immune cell to or into the device attracts a dendritic cell into the device.
• the device comprises a compound that inhibits tumor-mediated T cell or dendritic cell suppression.
• the compound that inhibits tumor-mediated T cell or dendritic cell suppression comprises a TGF- ⁇ inhibitor, a STAT3 inhibitor, an IDO inhibitor, an anti-PD-1 antibody, or an anti-CTLA-4 antibody.
• said device lacks a patient-derived tumor cell antigen prior to administration to a patient.
• the device has a volume of at least about 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, or 50-500 ⁇ 1 or less than about 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, or 50- 500 ⁇ 1.
• aspects of the present subject matter provide non-human mammal or a syringe comprising a device of the present subject matter.
• the syringe is pre-loaded and packaged with a device.
• the tumor is contacted with radiation.
• a chemotherapeutic agent is administered systemically to the subject.
• a chemotherapeutic agent is administered systemically to the subject.
• Each embodiment disclosed herein is contemplated as being applicable to each of the other disclosed embodiments.
• all combinations of the various elements described herein are within the scope of the invention.
• FIG. 1 is a diagram that shows bringing dendritic cells into the biomaterial cryogel that is placed within the tumor and stimulating their maturation so that they initiate responses against the tumor.
• FIG. 2 is a series of photographs depicting immunofluorescence data and showing that scaffolds placed in the tumor accumulate immune cells around and within the scaffold within the tumor.
• the data shown in FIGS. 2-5 were generated following injection of the scaffold/cryogel device into, or on the periphery, of lung cancer tumors grown for 5 days in mice. The tumor and scaffolds were explanted and then sectioned evaluate immune cell accumulation. Scale bar shown in lower left hand corner of each panel is 200 ⁇ .
• FIG. 3 is a series of photographs depicting immunofluorescence data and showing that scaffolds placed in the tumor accumulate cells of myeloid origin (which dendritic cells belong to) within the tumor. Scale bar shown in lower left hand corner of each panel is 200 ⁇ .
• FIG. 4 is a series of photographs depicting immunofluorescence data and showing that scaffolds placed in the tumor accumulate and enrich antigen presenting cells at the scaffold within the tumor. Scale bar shown in lower left hand corner of each panel is 200 ⁇ .
• FIG. 5 is a series of photographs depicting immunofluorescence data and showing that scaffolds placed in the tumor accumulate dendritic cells (one target cell type) to the scaffold site within the tumor. Scale bar shown in lower left hand corner of each panel is 200 ⁇ .
• FIG. 6 is a pair of photographs depicting immunofluorescence data and showing that scaffolds placed in the tumor accumulate T cells near the placement site.
• the data in FIGS. 2-6 show that injecting this biomaterial into the tumor leads to immune cell localization. Attraction of immune cells are key to generating anti-tumor immune responses and this accumulation of immune cells generates an anti-tumor immune responses against established tumors.
• FIG. 7 is a line graph showing CryogelMA (methacrylated gelatin cryogel as used in FIGs. 2-5) CpG oligonucleotide release and bioactivity.
• dendritic cells produce IL-12 (a cytokine indicative of maturation/activation) when exposed to supernatants from our material containing CpG oligonucleotide over the course of several days.
• FIG. 8 is a line graph showing CryogelMA poly I:C release and bioactivity.
• HEK human embryonic kidney
• TLR3 toll-like receptor-3
• FIGS. 7-8 show that the biomaterial delivers immunostimulatory compounds in a sustained manner over time. Doing this in the tumor microenvironment stimulates maturation of recruited antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and results in antitumor immunity.
• APCs recruited antigen-presenting cells
• FIG. 9 is a series of graphs showing that by changing material formulation to click alginate for the cryogel and including clay nanoparticles, a variety of agents for dendritic cell recruitment and immune modulation were delivered in different temporal means to potentially produce distinct biological effects.
• Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 20 CCL20
• DC dendritic cell
• FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (Flt3L) DC growth/differentiation factor
• GM-CSF Granulocyte- macrophage colony- stimulating factor
• IL-15 interleukin-15
• FIG. lOA-C are a series of scanning electron microscope (SEM) images showing that poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles are incorporated into the cryogels to allow delivery of small molecules and hydrophobic compounds for immune modulation that could not be sustainably released using the cryogel alone.
• FIG. 10A is no nanoparticles
• FIG. 10B is 1 mg/ml nanoparticles
• FIG. IOC is 0.1 mg/ml nanoparticles. Nanoparticles range in size from 10-5000 nm, e.g., 100-500 nm in size. Inhibitors of immune-suppressive factors found in the tumor microenvironment or chemotherapeutic agents (to generate tumor antigen) are delivered using these particles.
• FIG. 11 is a series of photographs showing that by using the click alginate cryogel delivering GM-CSF, we can get substantial accumulation of dendritic cells within and around the material inside the tumor site, i.e., within the tumor microenvironment.
• FIG. 12 is a series of photographs showing immune cell accumulation using GM-CSF - DC growth/differentiation factor in the device.
• FIGs. 12-15 show data using Cryoclick gels. Using a click alginate cryogel, a number of cytokines and chemokines were placed under the skin and screened for resulting activity in terms of immune cell accumulation.
• FIG. 13 is a series of photographs showing results using Chemokine (C motif) ligand
• FIG. 14 is a series of photographs showing results using IL-15 (T cell/NK cell survival factor) causing accumulation of CD4 and CD8 T cells in the skin.
• IL-15 T cell/NK cell survival factor
• FIG. 15 is a series of photographs showing results using CCL20 (DC chemokine) leading to bright DC staining at gel periphery.
• FIG. 16 is a graph showing release of a chemotherapeutic agent. -100 ⁇ g of doxorubicin was loaded into the gels. The mechanism of action of doxorubicin also involves activating the immune system, in addition to directly killing cancer cells. The cryogel composition was the same as used for factor delivery in FIGs. 12-15. The data demonstrated sustained release of
• chemotherapeutic agent e.g., doxorubicin
• FIG. 17 is a diagram showing delivery of factors from an inert gel that is injected in a minimimally invasive way to the tumor site. Delivering immunomodulatory factors to the tumor site directly complements other therapies greatly by reducing the immunosuppressive environment at the tumor.
• FIG. 18A-D are a series of SEM images showing the porous structure of CryoClick (click alginate) gels with various amounts of charged nanoparticles (laponite).
• FIG. 18A is no laponite
• FIG. 18B is 0.5 mg/ml laponite
• FIG. 18C is 1 mg/ml laponite
• FIG. 18D is 2.5 mg/ml laponite.
• FIG. 19 is a series of photographs.
• the magnified images of cryoGelMA intratumorally injected above show that gels delivering GM-CSF and CpG oligonucleotide attract more CD1 lc DCs and show that cells that express Cluster of Differentiation 86 (CD86) (a marker of DC activation) are also enriched, relative to blank scaffolds.
• CD86 Cluster of Differentiation 86
• FIGs. 20-22 are photographs showing the effect of doxorubicin release from the gels.
• Immunofluorescence imaging from day 3 after peritumoral injection shows staining for cleaved- caspase 3 (a marker of apoptosis, green below) in cells adjacent to the injected cryoClick gel that releases doxorubicin.
• FIG. 20 shows that apoptotic cells appear only at the tumor border and not in the surrounding fat tissue.
• FIG. 21 is a higher magnification image showing dying tumor cells as a dox-releasing gel-tumor border.
• FIG. 22 is an image showing surrounding normal tissue is much less affected by the local delivery of doxorubicin from the gels.
• FIG. 23 is a graph showing Release of TGF- ⁇ inhibitor LY2157299 from cryoClick gels in vitro.
• FIGs. 24A-E depicts in vivo cell recruitment to gelatin cryogels by sustained release of GM- CSF.
• FIG 24A is a schematic of cell recruitment to GM-CSG-releasing gelatin cryogels. Sustained release of GM-CSF from the cryogel implant creates a chemoattractant gradient to attract host immune cells.
• FIG. 24B is a graph showing in vitro cumulative GM-CSF release from gelatin cryogels.
• FIG. 24C is a graph showing the average release rate of GM-CSF from gelatin cryogels.
• FIG. 25A-D are graphs showing tumor growth and/or regression upon treatment with exemplary hydrogels.
• Mice injected with 2xl0 5 B 16-mOVA cells (B 16-F10 melanoma cells expressing inner cell membrane bound ovalbumin as a model antigen) were treated 11 and 13 days after tumor cell injection with click alginate hydrogels of the following compositions injected into the tumor: (A) Blank: hydrogel only; (B) GM-CSF: hydrogel containing 1 ug GM-CSF; (C) Imiquimod: hydrogel containing 1 mg imiquimod; (D) GM-CSF+Imiquimod: hydrogel containing 1 ug GM-CSF and 1 mg Imiquimod. Tumor dimensions were measured using calipers and used to calculate tumor area, which is plotted.
• FIG. 26 is a graph illustrating survival data corresponding to the tumor growth curves shown in FIG. 25.
• FIG. 27 is a graph showing the responses of T cells collected from treated mice upon stimulation with a peptide from ovalbumin. 21 days after tumor inoculation, peripheral blood was taken from mice that were surviving in each group. Cells were stimulated with a peptide from ovalbumin and the fraction of CD8+ T cells responding to the peptide was quantified using flow cytometry. The data indicate that in some mice, significant T cell responses are induced by peritumoral injection of gels containing GM-CSF and Imiquimod.
• FIG. 28A-C is a set of images and graphs showing tumor size in treated mice, as well as flow cytometry plots showing CD8 T cell responses.
• the images and graphs provide exemplary data showing blank hydrogel treated mice and mice that showed regression in growing tumors in the GM-CSF+Imiquimod group.
• the data (FIG. 28A and B) show a reduced tumor size in the GM- CSF+Imiquimod group relative to the blank hydrogel group.
• the flow cytometry plots (FIG. 28C) show significant CD8 T cell responses in the surviving GM-CSF+Imiquimod mice than in the lone surviving blank hydrogel mouse.
• the tumor microenvironment is highly immunosuppressive and prevents the activity of immune cells in generating and carrying out an anti-tumor immune response.
• Immunotherapy of cancer must do more than simply present antigens to the immune system - it must disrupt a preexisting state of functional tolerance toward tumor antigens.
• This invention provides patient- specific immunization without antigen-loading of biomaterial (e.g., cryogel or hydrogel) delivery vehicle/device prior to administration to the patient.
• FIGS. 1-17 show delivery by a device, e.g., a cryogel or hydrogel (e.g., a click hydrogel), of a variety of immunomodulators to overcome immune inhibition in the tumor microenvironment.
• An exemplary device for patient-specific immunization includes the one or more of the following components: an immune cell enrichment composition (e.g., GM-CSF for antigen presenting cells and/or a cytokine/chemoattractant for T cells or natural killer (NK) cells; a toll-like receptor (TLR) ligand (e.g., cytosine-guanosine oligonucleotide (CpG ODN) or poly I:C); an inducer of immunogenic cell death (e.g., a chemotherapeutic or cytotoxic agent) or means for generating radiation; immunomodulatory agent (e.g., inhibitor of tumor-mediated immune suppression).
• an immune cell enrichment composition e.g., GM-CSF for antigen presenting cells and/or a cytokine/chemoattractant for T cells or natural killer (NK) cells
• TLR toll-like receptor
• an inducer of immunogenic cell death e.g., a chemotherapeut
• the device does not include a tumor antigen (such as a patient-derived tumor antigen or tumor cell lysate) prior to delivery to the patient, i.e., tumor antigens are generated in situ by virtue of administration of an inducer of immunogenic cell death, e.g., a device-delivered
• a tumor antigen such as a patient-derived tumor antigen or tumor cell lysate
• the factor-loaded cryogel or hydrogel devices alter the tumor microenvironment, modulate tolerance to tumor antigens, enrich the site for T cells, e.g., tumor-specific cytotoxic T cells, and enrich the tumor site with antigen presenting cells.
• the device comprises a scaffold material - such as methacrylated gelatin or click alginate with or without particles to assist in or control release such as poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles or encapsulated laponite nanoplatelets; agents to be released - 1) chemotherapeutic s, 2) cytokines - such as granulocyte-macrophage colony- stimulating factor (GM-CSF), FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (Flt3L), Chemokine (C-C Motif) Ligand 20 (CCL20), Interleukin 15 (IL-15), Chemokine (C Motif) Ligand 1 (XCL1), Chemokine (C-X-C Motif) Ligand 10 (CXCL10), Interferon Alpha 1 (IFN-alpha), Interferon Beta (IFN-beta), and Interleukin 12 (IL-12) 3) immunostimulatory compounds - such as
• Non-liming examples of human amino acid sequences for isoforms of each of the cytokines listed above are publically available using the following accession numbers: GM-CSF - GenBank No: AAA52578.1 (SEQ ID NO: 3); Flt3L - UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot No: P49771.1 (SEQ ID NO: 4); CCL20 - GenBank No: AAH20698.1 (SEQ ID NO: 5); IL-15 - GenBank No: AAI00963.1 (SEQ ID NO: 6); XCL1 - GenBank No: AAH69817.1 (SEQ ID NO: 7); CXCL10 - GenBank No:
• EAX05693.1 (SEQ ID NO: 8); IFN-alpha - GenBank No: AAI12303.1 (SEQ ID NO: 9); IFN-beta - GenBank No: AAC41702.1 (SEQ ID NO: 10); and IL-12 - NCBI Accession No. 1F45_A (Chain A) (SEQ ID NO: 11) and NCBI Accession No. 1F45_B (Chain B) (SEQ ID NO: 12).
• the cryogel or hydro gel includes an anthracycline or another immunogenic cell death inducer along with an immune cell enrichment composition, a toll-like receptor (TLR) ligand, and immunomodulatory agent (in the absence of tumor antigen prior to patient
• the cryogel or hydrogel includes an immune cell enrichment composition, a TLR ligand, and an immunomodulatory agent (in the absence of tumor antigen prior to patient administration) without an anthracycline or other immunogenic cell death inducer with the anthracycline or other immunogenic cell death being administered to the patient systemically.
• an immunomodulatory agent in the absence of tumor antigen prior to patient administration
• an anthracycline or other immunogenic cell death inducer with the anthracycline or other immunogenic cell death being administered to the patient systemically.
• bioactive agents - agents such as immunogenic cancer cell death inducers, immunostimulatory compounds, or immune cell enhancers that are not tolerable when administered systemically or as a bolus may be useful in devices of the invention.
• agents that have been abandoned after clinical trials involving systemic or bolus administration are useful in the present subject matter.
• the device or scaffold is injected using a needle.
• the device or scaffold may be injected through a 16-gauge, an 18-gauge, a 20-gauge, a 22-gauge, a 24-gauge, a 26-gauge, a 28-gauge, a 30-gauge, a 32-gauge, or a 34-gauge needle.
• injection or other administration to a "tumor site” may mean placement of a device or scaffold of the invention such that (i) at least a portion of the device or scaffold is within the tumor, (ii) the entire device or scaffold is within the tumor, (iii) at least a portion of the device or scaffold contacts the tumor, or (iv) the device or scaffold is in the proximity of the tumor.
• the device or scaffold is administered such that it is peritumoral (i.e., in direct contact with or in close proximity to the tumor).
• the tumor capsule is punctured to deliver the device or scaffold directly into the tumor mass.
• the tumor is not contacted with the device or scaffold.
• the device or scaffold may be placed within 0 (i.e., touching the tumor) to 10 mm of a tumor.
• the point of the device or scaffold that is closest to the tumor is about 0 (i.e., directly contacting tumor mass), 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 mm from the tumor mass boundary.
• the point of the device or scaffold that is closest to the tumor is less than about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 mm from the tumor.
• the point of the device or scaffold that is closest to the tumor is at least about 1, 2, 3, or 5 mm and less than about 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 mm from the tumor.
• Embodiments of the present subject matter obviate the need for patient-derived material (e.g., patient-derived tumor antigens).
• devices and scaffolds of the present subject matter that do not contain a tumor antigen (from a subject or another source) at the time of administration are effective at promoting an anti-tumor immune response in a subject.
• Anti-tumor vaccination may be achieved by inserting a device or scaffold into a tumor with, e.g., a needle, or by delivering a device or scaffold near a tumor without interrupting the tumor mass with the needle.
• aspects of the present invention relate to devices and scaffolds that promote immune activation against a tumor in vivo without (i) containing a tumor antigen when administered or (ii) disrupting a tumor capsule.
• immunomodulatory factors e.g., agents that modulate targets in the T-cell checkpoint
• Chemotherapy -Aspects of the present subject matter include compounds that induce immunogenic cell death.
• Such chemotherapeutic agents include members of the anthracycline class of compounds, e.g., doxorubicin, daunorubicin, epirubicin, idarubicin, and valrubicin as well as mitoxantrone, an anthracycline analog.
• Chemotherapeutic agents may be used to generate antigen and prime the immune system.
• Anthracycline class of chemotherapeutic agents kill tumor cells in a way that causes priming of the immune system (immunogenic cell death).
• Anthracyclines are anticancer compounds that were originally derived from Streptomyces sp.
• Anthracyclines are red aromatic polyketides and occur in variety of forms due to the structural differences in the aglycone and the different attached sugar residues.
• An exemplary chemotherapeutic agent that elicits immunogenic cell death is a tricyclic compound as shown below.
• the present invention relates to a compound of formula (I): R 2 O R 4 ⁇
• Ri and R 2 are independently selected from -OCH 3 , -OH or -H;
• R 3 and R 4 are independently selected from -OH or - NHCH 2 CH 2 NHCH 2 CH 2 OH;
• R 5 and R 6 are selected from H or alternatively together form a six membered unsaturated carbocycle, substituted with R 7 , R 8 , and R9; and
• one set of compounds of formula (I) includes those in which R 3 and R4 are OH.
• this set of compounds can comprise a subset of compounds of formula (I), wherein R 3 and R 4 are OH and Ri is H.
• Another set of compounds of formula (I) includes those in which Ri and R 2 are OH.
• This set of compounds can also comprise a subset of compounds of formula (I), wherein Ri and R 2 are OH and R 3 and R 4 are NHCH 2 CH 2 NHCH 2 CH 2 OH.
• Another subset of compounds of formula (I) include those in which Ri and R 2 are OH, R 3 and R 4 are NHCH 2 CH 2 NHCH 2 CH 2 OH, and R 5 and R 6 are H.
• the present invention relates to a subset of compounds of formula
• one set of compounds of formula (II) includes those in which Rn is OCH 3 .
• anthracycline is meant a class of drugs that are commonly used as a chemotherapeutic agent.
• an anthracycline has a tricyclic core (e.g. , Mitoxantrone) or a tetracyclic core.
• an anthracycline has a structure according to the following formula,
• R 2 is -H or -OCH3;
• R is an amino sugar.
• exemplary anthracyclines doxorubicin, daunorubicin, epirubicin, idarubicin, and valrubicin are described in Table 1. Still further exemplary anthracyclines include those described as Formulas I and II of U.S. Patent No. 9,107,962, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
• Immunogenic cell death may also be induced by cardiac glycosides such as oleandrin, ouabain, bufalin, digitoxin, digoxin, cinobufatalin, cinobufagin, and resibufogenin.
• Cytokines - A variety of protein cytokines are used to recruit antigen presenting cells or cytotoxic lymphocytes to the material implant site and support their function there.
• Immuno stimulatory compounds - Immunostimulatory compounds are used to cause antigen presenting cell maturation.
• Inhibitors - Inhibitors of a tumor-generated immunosuppressive microenvironment are used to downregulate immunosuppression at the tumor site, potentiating the action of the agents listed above.
• Inhibitors comprise proteins, peptides, antibodies, small molecules, or RNA interference (RNAi) molecules that reduce the expression of a target protein.
• TGF- ⁇ dampens tumor immuno surveillance and polarizes innate immune cells towards an immature differentiation status that prevents optimal antitumor immunity.
• STAT3 pathway promotes the production of immune inhibitory cytokines within the tumor, dampens anti-tumor T-helper 1 -mediated immunity, and inhibits dendritic cell maturation.
• IDO or INDO EC Indoleamine-pyrrole 2,3-dioxygenase
• IDO is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the IDOl gene and catalyzes the degradation of the essential amino acid L-tryptophan to N-formylkynurenine. IDO can deplete tryptophan in the tumor microenvironment, inhibiting the activity of T cells and dendritic cells. Small molecule inhibitors of these (TGF- ⁇ , STAT3, and IDO) and other immunosuppressive pathways have been developed and are being tested clinically.
• TGF- ⁇ pathway inhibitors LY2157299
• STAT3 pathway inhibitors BP-1-102
• IDO pathway inhibitors NGF9
• PD-1 pathway inhibitors CTLA-4 pathway inhibitors
• LAG-3 pathway inhibitors LAG-3 pathway inhibitors
• B7-H3 pathway inhibitors B7-H3 pathway inhibitors
• TIM3 pathway inhibitors examples include TGF- ⁇ pathway inhibitors (LY2157299), STAT3 pathway inhibitors (BP-1-102), IDO pathway inhibitors (NLG919); PD-1 pathway inhibitors, CTLA-4 pathway inhibitors, LAG-3 pathway inhibitors, B7-H3 pathway inhibitors, and/or TIM3 pathway inhibitors.
• small molecule inhibitors are loaded into or onto the device and are delivered to the location of a tumor/tumor site to inhibit the local tumor-mediated immunosuppression.
• Small molecules are compounds that have a molecular mass of a less than 1000 daltons, e.g., 500 daltons or less, 250 daltons or less, 100 daltons or less.
• Exemplary small molecule immunomodulatory compounds, e.g., inhibitors of immune suppression are described below. Many are generally hydrophobic.
• TGF- ⁇ inhibitors include LY2157299, GW788388, LY364947, R268712, RepSox, SB525334, and SD208.
• LY2157299 has the following structure:
• LY2157299 is also known as galunisertib and is described in Maier A, et al. (2015) Cell Oncol 38: 131-144, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. This compound has been used to treat solid tumors such as liver cancer (e.g. hepatocellular carcinoma)
• TGF- ⁇ inhibitors are described in U.S. Patent No 7,265,225 issued September 4, 2007; U.S. Patent No. 7,834,029 issued November 16, 2010; and U.S. Patent No. 7,872,020 issued January 8, 2011, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.
• GW788388 has the following structure:
• GW788388 is described in Gellibert et al (2006) Discovery of 4- ⁇ 4-[3-(pyridin-2-yl)-lH- pyrazol-4-yl]pyridin-2-yl ⁇ -N-(tetrahydro-2H- pyran-4-yl)benzamide (GW788388): a potent, selective, and orally active transforming growth factor- ⁇ type I receptor inhibitor. J.Med.Chem. 49 2210, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
• LY364947 has the following structure:
• LY364947 is described in Sawyer et al (2003) Synthesis and activity of new aryl- and heteroaryl-substituted pyrazole inhibitors of the transforming growth factor- ⁇ type I receptor kinase domain. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 46(19), 3953-3956, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
• R268712 has the following structure:
• R268712 is described in Terashima et al (2014) R-268712, an orally active transforming growth factor- ⁇ type I receptor inhibitor, prevents glomerular sclerosis in a Thyl nephritis model. Eur.J. Pharmacol. 734:60, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
• Re Sox has the following structure:
• RepSox is also known as E-616452, SJN 2511, and ALK5 Inhibitor II. RepSox is described in Gellibert et al (2004) Identification of 1,5-naphthyridine derivatives as a novel series of potent and selective TGF- ⁇ type I receptor inhibitors. J.Med.Chem. 47(18), 4494-4506, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
• SB525334 has the following structure:
• SB525334 is described in Grygielko et al (2005) Inhibition of gene markers of fibrosis with novel inhibitor of transforming growth factor- ⁇ type I receptor kinase in puromycin-induced nephritis. J.Pharmacol.Exp.Ther. 313 943, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
• SD208 has the followin structure:
• SD208 is described in Uhl et al (2004) SD-208, a novel transforming growth factor ⁇ feceptor I kinase inhibitor, inhibits growth and invasiveness and enhances immunogeneicity of murine and human glioma cells in vitro and in vivo. Cancer Res. 64(21), 7954-7961, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
• Non-limiting examples of antibodies that antagonize TGF- ⁇ include metelimumab (also known as CAT-192) and fresolimumab (also known as GC1008).
• Fresolimumab is described in Griitter et al. (2008) "A cytokine-neutralizing antibody as a structural mimetic of 2 receptor interactions" Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 105 (51): 20251-20256, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
• Non-limiting examples of STAT3 inhibitors include BP-1-102, S3I-M2001, STA-21, S3I- 201, Stattic, Galiellalactone, a polypeptide having the sequence PY*LKTK (where Y* represents phosphotyrosine), and a polypeptide having the sequence Y*LPQTV (where Y* represents phosphotyrosine). Additional non-limiting examples of STAT3 inhibitors are described in Yue and Turkson Expert Opin Investig Drugs. 2009 Jan; 18(1): 45-56, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
• STA-21 has the following structure:
• -201 has the following structure:
• Galiellalactone has the following structure:
• Galiellalactone is described in Don-Doncow et al., J Biol Chem. 2014 Jun 6;289(23): 15969- 78, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
• BP-1-102 has the followin structure:
• STAT3 Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3
• BP-1-102 is active against tumors (e.g., solid tumors) such as human lung cancer and breast cancer in animals (PNAS 2012 109 (24) 9623-9628).
• tumors e.g., solid tumors
• PNAS 2012 109 (24) 9623-9628 tumors
• Another small molecule STAT3 inhibitor is OPB-31121 (Cancer Lett. 2013 Jul 10;335(l): 145-52. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2013.02.010. Epub 2013 Feb 10).
• OPB-31121 is an orally bioavailable inhibitor of STAT3, with antineoplastic activity.
• OPB-31121 inhibits the phosphorylation of STAT3, which prevents binding of STAT3 to DNA sequences on a variety of STAT3 -responsive promoters and results in the inhibition of STAT3-mediated transcription and, potentially, the inhibition of tumor cell proliferation.
• STAT3 is constitutively activated in a variety of cancers, contributing to the loss of cell growth control and neoplastic transformation.
• OPB-31121 is described in Kim et al.
• OPB-31121 a novel small molecular inhibitor, disrupts the JAK2/STAT3 pathway and exhibits an antitumor activity in gastric cancer cells.
• IDO is expressed by cancer cells in a range of tumor types. High IDO expression correlates with poor outcome in a number of cancers, such as ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, colon cancer, and melanoma.
• IDO inhibitors include INCB24360, INCB24360 analogues, NLG919 (also known as GDC-0919), Norharmane, Rosmarinic Acid, 1- Methyltryptophan, and indoximod.
• INCB24360 The structure of an INCB24360 analogue, which also inhibits IDO, has the following structure:
• INCB24360 its analogue shown above, and NLG919 are IDOl inhibitors. Selective inhibition of IDOl effectively regulates mediators of antitumor immunity (Liu et al., Blood, 2010, 115: 3520-3530, incorporated herein by reference). These drugs are useful to inhibit tumor- mediated immune evasion or suppression and are optionally combined with immune checkpoint blockers such as antibody-based inhibitors, e.g., anti-PDl
• Norharmane is another example of an IDO inhibitor, and has the following structure:
• Rosmarinic Acid is a further example of an IDO inhibitor, and has the following structure:
• Rosmarinic Acid is described in Lee et al. (2007) Biochemical Pharmacology 73 (9): 1412- 21, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
• 1-Methyltryptophan is an additional example of an IDO inhibitor and has the following structure:
• Indoximod is described in Soliman HH, Jackson E, Neuger T et al. A first in man phase I trial of the oral immunomodulator, indoximod, combined with docetaxel in patients with metastatic solid tumors. Oncotarget. 2014 Sep 30;5 (18):8136-46, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
• PD-1 limits the activity of T cells in peripheral tissues at the time of an inflammatory response to infection and to limit autoimmunity PD-1 blockade in vitro enhances T-cell proliferation and cytokine production in response to a challenge by specific antigen targets or by allogeneic cells in mixed lymphocyte reactions.
• a strong correlation between PD-1 expression and response was shown with blockade of PD-1 (Pardoll, Nature Reviews Cancer, 12: 252-264, 2012).
• PD-1 blockade can be accomplished by a variety of mechanisms including antibodies that bind PD- 1 or its ligand, PD-L1. Examples of PD-1 and PD-L1 blockers are described in US Patent Nos. 7,488,802;
• WO03042402 WO2008156712, WO2010077634, WO2010089411, WO2010036959,
• the PD-1 blockers include anti-PD-Ll antibodies.
• Non-limiting examples of PD-1 pathway inhibitors include AMP-224, Nivolumab (also known as MDX-1106; ONO-4538), Pembrolizumab, Pidilizumab, BMS 936559 (also known as MDX- 1105), MPDL3280A (also known as Atezolizumab), MEDI4736, and MSB0010718C.
• Non- limiting examples of PD-1 pathway inhibitors are also described in Dolan and Gupta Cancer Control. 2014 Jul;21(3):231-7 the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
• AMP-224 also known as B7-DCIg, is a PD-L2-Fc fusion soluble receptor.
• AMP-224 is being used in U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) clinical trial number NCT02298946.
• NIH National Institutes of Health
• AMP- 224 is described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0223188, published September 15, 2011; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0017199, published January 17, 2013; and Smothers et al., Ann Oncol (2013) 24 (suppl 1): i7, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.
• Nivolumab is also known as ONO-4538, BMS-936558, MDX1106, and Opdivo. Nivolumab is described in U.S. Patent No. 8,008,449, issued August 30, 2011; and Sundar R, Cho BC, Brahmer JR, Soo RA (2015). "Nivolumab in NSCLC: latest evidence and clinical potential” Ther Adv Med Oncol 7 (2): 85-96, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.
• Pembrolizumab is also known as MK-3475, lambrolizumab, and Keytruda. Pembrolizumab is also described in U.S. Patent No. 8,952,136, issued February 10, 2015; U.S. Patent No. 8,168,757, issued May 1, 2012; and Hamid et al., (2013) "Safety and tumor responses with lambrolizumab (anti-PD-1) in melanoma” New England Journal of Medicine 369 (2): 134-44, the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
• BMS 936559 is also known as MDX- 1105.
• BMS 936559 is described in U.S. Patent No.
• MPDL3280A is also known as Atezolizumab.
• MPDL3280A has the CAS Registry number 1422185-06-5.
• MPDL3280A is described in McDermott et al., Atezolizumab, an Anti-Programmed Death-Ligand 1 Antibody, in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: Long-Term Safety, Clinical Activity, and Immune Correlates From a Phase la Study, J Clin Oncol. 2016 Jan 11. pii: JC0637421 (Epub ahead of print) PMID: 26755520.
• MEDI4736 is described in U.S. Patent No. 8,779,108, issued July 15, 2014; and Ibrahim et al., Semin Oncol. 2015 Jun;42(3):474-83, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.
• MSB0010718C is also known as Avelumab.
• the CAS Registry number for MSB0010718C is 1537032-82-8.
• MSB0010718C is described in Boyerinas B, Jochems C, Fantini M, Heery CR, Gulley JL, Tsang KY, Schlom J. Cancer Immunol Res. 2015 Oct;3(10): 1148-57, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
• CTLA-4 inhibitors include tremelimumab and ipilimumab. See, e.g., Pardoll DM (April 2012). "The blockade of immune checkpoints in cancer immunotherapy”. Nat. Rev. Cancer 12 (4): 252-64, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
• Tremelimumab is also known as ticilimumab and CP-675,206. Tremelimumab is described in Antoni Ribas (28 June 2012). "Tumor immunotherapy directed at PD-1". New England Journal of Medicine 366 (26): 2517-9, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
• Ipilimumab is also known as Yervoy, MDX-010, and MDX-101. Ipilimumab is described in Antoni Ribas (28 June 2012). "Tumor immunotherapy directed at PD-1". New England Journal of Medicine 366 (26): 2517-9, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
• IMP321 is soluble version of the immune checkpoint molecule LAG-3, used to increase an immune response to tumors.
• EVIP321 is described in Brignone et al. (2007) "IMP321 (sLAG-3), an immunopotentiator for T cell responses against a HBsAg antigen in healthy adults: a single blind randomised controlled phase I study" J Immune Based Ther Vaccines 5 (1): 5, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
• Non-limiting examples of soluble fractions of the LAG-3 protein which may be useful in embodiments of the invention are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,955,300, issued September 21, 1999, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
• Non-limiting examples of anti-LAG-3 antibodies include BMS-986016 and GSK2831781.
• GSK2831781 is described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0286935, published September 25, 2014, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
• BMS-986016 is described in PCT International Patent Application No. WO 2015/042246, published March 26, 2015, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
• Non-limiting examples of anti-LAG-3 antibodies are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0286935, published September 25, 2014; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0307609, published October 29, 2015; PCT International Patent Application Publication No. WO2008132601, published November 6, 2008, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.
• a non-limiting example of a B7-H3 inhibitor is the antibody known as MGA271.
• MGA271 is described in Loo et al. (2012) Cancer Res. 2012 Jul 15;18(14):3834-45, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
• Non-limiting examples of TIM3 inhibitors include the antibodies described in U.S. Patent No. 8,841,418, issued September 23, 2014; and U.S. Patent No. 8,552,156, issued October 8, 2013, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.
• antibody is used in the broadest sense and specifically covers monoclonal antibodies (including full length monoclonal antibodies), polyclonal antibodies, multispecific antibodies (e.g., bispecific antibodies), monovalent antibodies, multivalent antibodies, and antibody fragments so long as they exhibit the desired biological activity (e.g., Fab and/or single-armed antibodies).
• antibody fragment refers to a molecule other than an intact antibody that comprises a portion of an intact antibody that binds the antigen to which the intact antibody binds.
• antibody fragments include but are not limited to Fv, Fab, Fab', Fab'-SH, F (ab') 2 ; diabodies; linear antibodies; single-chain antibody molecules (e.g., scFv) ; and multispecific antibodies formed from antibody fragments.
• full length antibody “intact antibody,” and “whole antibody” are used herein interchangeably to refer to an antibody having a structure substantially similar to a native antibody structure or having heavy chains that contain an Fc region.
• an “Fv” fragment is an antibody fragment which contains a complete antigen recognition and binding site.
• This region consists of a dimer of one heavy and one light chain variable domain in tight association, which can be covalent in nature, for example in scFv. It is in this configuration that the three hypervariable regions (HVRs) of each variable domain interact to define an antigen binding site on the surface of the VH-VL dimer.
• HVRs hypervariable regions
• a “Fab” fragment contains a variable and constant domain of the light chain and a variable domain and the first constant domain (CHI) of the heavy chain.
• F(ab') 2 antibody fragments comprise a pair of Fab fragments which are generally covalently linked near their carboxy termini by hinge cysteines between them. Other chemical couplings of antibody fragments are also known in the art.
• Single-chain Fv or “scFv” antibody fragments comprise the VH and VL domains of an antibody, wherein these domains are present in a single polypeptide chain.
• the Fv polypeptide further comprises a polypeptide linker between the VH and L domains, which enables the scFv to form the desired structure for antigen binding.
• diabodies refers to small antibody fragments with two antigen-binding sites, which fragments comprise a heavy chain variable domain (VH) connected to a light chain variable domain (VL) in the same polypeptide chain (VH and VL).
• VH heavy chain variable domain
• VL light chain variable domain
• VH and VL polypeptide chain
• linear antibodies refers to the antibodies described in Zapata et al., Protein Eng., 8 (10): 1057-1062 (1995), the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. Briefly, these antibodies comprise a pair of tandem Fd segments (V.sub.H-C.sub.Hl-V.sub.H- C. sub. HI) which, together with complementary light chain polypeptides, form a pair of antigen binding regions. Linear antibodies can be bispecific or monospecific.
• monoclonal antibody refers to an antibody obtained from a population of substantially homogeneous antibodies, i.e. , the individual antibodies comprising the population are identical and/or bind the same epitope, except for possible variant antibodies, e.g. , containing naturally occurring mutations or arising during production of a monoclonal antibody preparation, such variants generally being present in minor amounts.
• polyclonal antibody preparations typically include different antibodies directed against different determinants (epitopes)
• each monoclonal antibody of a monoclonal antibody preparation is directed against a single determinant on an antigen.
• the modifier "monoclonal” indicates the character of the antibody as being obtained from a substantially homogeneous population of antibodies, and is not to be construed as requiring production of the antibody by any particular method.
• the monoclonal antibodies to be used may be made by a variety of techniques, including but not limited to the hybridoma method, recombinant DNA methods, phage-display methods, and methods utilizing transgenic animals containing all or part of the human immunoglobulin loci, such methods and other exemplary methods for making monoclonal antibodies being described herein.
• chimeric antibody refers to an antibody in which a portion of the heavy and/or light chain is derived from a particular source or species, while the remainder of the heavy and/or light chain is derived from a different source or species.
• a “humanized” antibody refers to a chimeric antibody comprising amino acid residues from non-human HVRs and amino acid residues from human FRs.
• a humanized antibody will comprise substantially all of at least one, and typically two, variable domains, in which all or substantially all of the HVRs (e.g. , CDRs) correspond to those of a non-human antibody, and all or substantially all of the FRs correspond to those of a human antibody.
• a humanized antibody optionally may comprise at least a portion of an antibody constant region derived from a human antibody.
• a "humanized form" of an antibody, e.g., a non-human antibody refers to an antibody that has undergone humanization.
• a "human antibody” is one which possesses an amino acid sequence which corresponds to that of an antibody produced by a human or a human cell or derived from a non-human source that utilizes human antibody repertoires or other human antibody-encoding sequences. This definition of a human antibody specifically excludes a humanized antibody comprising non-human antigen- binding residues.
• RNA interference inducing compound or "RNAi compound” refers to a compound capable of inducing RNA interference or "RNAi" of protein expression, depending on the context. RNAi involves mRNA degradation, but many of the biochemical mechanisms underlying this interference are unknown. The use of RNAi has been described in Fire et al., 1998, Carthew et al., 2001, and Elbashir et al., 2001, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
• RNA molecules can mediate RNAi. That is, the isolated RNA molecules of the present invention mediate degradation or block expression of mRNA that is the transcriptional product of the gene, which is also referred to as a target gene. For convenience, such mRNA may also be referred to herein as mRNA to be degraded.
• RNA, RNA molecule (s), RNA segment(s) and RNA fragment(s) may be used interchangeably to refer to RNA that mediates RNA interference.
• RNA double- stranded RNA
• small interfering RNA small interfering RNA
• hairpin RNA single- stranded RNA
• isolated RNA partially purified RNA, essentially pure RNA, synthetic RNA, recombinantly produced RNA
• altered RNA that differs from naturally occurring RNA by the addition, deletion, substitution and/or alteration of one or more nucleotides.
• Such alterations can include addition of non-nucleotide material, such as to the end(s) of the RNA or internally (at one or more nucleotides of the RNA).
• Nucleotides in the RNA molecules of the present invention can also comprise nonstandard nucleotides, including non-naturally occurring nucleotides or deoxyribonucleotides. Collectively, all such altered RNAi molecules are referred to as analogs or analogs of naturally-occurring RNA.
• RNA of the present invention need only be sufficiently similar to natural RNA that it has the ability to mediate RNAi. As used herein the phrase "mediate RNAi" refers to and indicates the ability to distinguish which mRNA molecules are to be afflicted with the RNAi machinery or process. RNA that mediates RNAi interacts with the RNAi machinery such that it directs the machinery to degrade particular mRNAs or to otherwise reduce the expression of the target protein.
• the present invention relates to RNA molecules that direct cleavage of specific mRNA to which their sequence corresponds. It is not necessary that there be perfect correspondence of the sequences, but the correspondence must be sufficient to enable the RNA to direct RNAi inhibition by cleavage or blocking expression of the target mRNA.
• RNA molecules of the present invention in general comprise an RNA portion and some additional portion, for example a deoxyribonucleotide portion.
• an RNAi molecules comprises about 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, or 23 nucleotides, about 16 to 29 nucleotides, about 18 to 23 nucleotides, or about 21-23
• a device or scaffold comprises one or more RNAi molecules that mediate RNAi of one or more genes that inhibit T cell or dendritic cell suppression.
• the target gene is an immune checkpoint gene.
• the target gene is an immune suppression gene.
• the target gene encodes a TGF- ⁇ , STAT3, IDO, PD-1, PD-1 ligand 1, CTLA-4, LAG-3, or TIM3 protein.
• TGF- ⁇ (GenBank No: M60316.1, SEQ ID NO: 13); STAT3 (NCBI Reference Sequence No: NM_139276.2, SEQ ID NO: 14); IDOl (NCBI Reference Sequence No: NM_002164.5, SEQ ID NO: 15); PD-1 (NCBI Reference Sequence No: NM_005018.2, SEQ ID NO: 16); PD-L1 (NCBI Reference Sequence No: NM_014143.3, SEQ ID NO: 17); CTLA-4 (NCBI Reference Sequence No: NM_001037631.2, SEQ ID NO: 18); LAG-3 (GenBank No:
• an RNAi molecule may be present in a device or scaffold with a transfection agent.
• the RNAi molecule may be condensed with polyethylimine (PEI), poly-L-lysine (PLL), or a polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer.
• PI polyethylimine
• PLL poly-L-lysine
• PAMAM polyamidoamine dendrimer
• transfection agents include liposomes (e.g., lipofectamine).
• GM-CSF Granulocyte Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor
• Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor is a protein secreted by macrophages, T cells, mast cells, endothelial cells and fibroblasts.
• GM-CSF is a cytokine that functions as a white blood cell growth factor.
• GM-CSF stimulates stem cells to produce granulocytes and monocytes. Monocytes exit the blood stream, migrate into tissue, and subsequently mature into macrophages.
• GM-CSF polypeptides comprise and release GM-CSF polypeptides to attract host DCs to the device.
• Contemplated GM-CSF polypeptides are isolated from endogenous sources or synthesized in vivo or in vitro. Endogenous GM-CSF polypeptides are isolated from healthy human tissue.
• Synthetic GM-CSF polypeptides are synthesized in vivo following transfection or transformation of template DNA into a host organism or cell, e.g. a mammal or cultured human cell line.
• GM-CSF polypeptides are synthesized in vitro by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or other art-recognized methods Sambrook, J., Fritsch, E.F., and Maniatis, T., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, NY, Vol. 1, 2, 3 (1989), herein incorporated by reference).
• PCR polymerase chain reaction
• GM-CSF polypeptides are modified to increase protein stability in vivo.
• GM- CSF polypeptides are engineered to be more or less immunogenic.
• Endogenous mature human GM- CSF polypeptides are glycosylated, reportedly, at amino acid residues 23 (leucine), 27 (asparagine), and 39 (glutamic acid) (see US Patent No. 5,073,627).
• GM-CSF polypeptides of the present invention are modified at one or more of these amino acid residues with respect to glycosylation state.
• GM-CSF polypeptides are recombinant.
• GM-CSF polypeptides are humanized derivatives of mammalian GM-CSF polypeptides.
• Exemplary mammalian species from which GM- CSF polypeptides are derived include, but are not limited to, mouse, rat, hamster, guinea pig, ferret, cat, dog, monkey, or primate.
• GM-CSF is a recombinant human protein (PeproTech, Catalog # 300-03).
• GM-CSF is a recombinant murine (mouse) protein (PeproTech, Catalog #315-03).
• GM-CSF is a humanized derivative of a recombinant mouse protein.
• Human Recombinant GM-CSF (PeproTech, Catalog # 300-03) is encoded by the following polypeptide sequence (SEQ ID NO: 30): MAPARSPSPS TQPWEHVNAI QEARRLLNLS RDTAAEMNET VEVISEMFDL QEPTCLQTRL ELYKQGLRGS LTKLKGPLTM MASHYKQHCP PTPETSCATQ IITFESFKEN LKDFLLVIPF DCWEPVQE
• Murine Recombinant GM-CSF (PeproTech, Catalog # 315-03) is encoded by the following polypeptide sequence (SEQ ID NO: 31): MAPTRSPITV TRPWKHVEAI KEALNLLDDM PVTLNEEVEV VSNEFSFKKL TCVQTRLKIF EQGLRGNFTK LKGALNMTAS YYQTYCPPTP ETDCETQVTT YADFIDSLKT FLTDIPFECK KPVQK
• GM-CSF Human Endogenous GM-CSF is encoded by the following mRNA sequence (NCBI).
• Human Endogenous GM-CSF is encoded by the following amino acid sequence (NCBI Accession No. NP_000749.2 and SEQ ID NO: 33):
• immuno stimulatory compound includes compounds that increase a subject's immune response to an antigen.
• immuno stimulatory compounds include immune stimulants and immune cell activating compounds.
• Devices of the present subject matter may contain immunostimulatory compounds that help program the immune cells to recognize ligands and enhance antigen presentation.
• Immune cell activating compounds include TLR agonists.
• TLR agonists include pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), e.g., an infection-mimicking composition such as a bacterially-derived immunomodulator (a.k.a., danger signal).
• PAMPs pathogen associated molecular patterns
• TLR agonists include nucleic acid or lipid compositions (e.g.,
• the TLR agonist comprises a TLR9 agonist such as a cytosine-guanosine oligonucleotide (CpG-ODN), a poly(ethylenimine) (PEI)-condensed oligonucleotide (ODN) such as PEI-CpG-ODN, or double stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).
• a TLR9 agonist such as a cytosine-guanosine oligonucleotide (CpG-ODN), a poly(ethylenimine) (PEI)-condensed oligonucleotide (ODN) such as PEI-CpG-ODN, or double stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).
• the TLR agonist comprises a TLR3 agonist such as polyinosine-polycytidylic acid (poly (I:C)), PEI-poly (I:C), polyadenylic-polyuridylic acid (poly (A:U)), PEI-poly (A:U), or double stranded ribonucleic acid (RNA).
• TLR3 agonist such as polyinosine-polycytidylic acid (poly (I:C)), PEI-poly (I:C), polyadenylic-polyuridylic acid (poly (A:U)), PEI-poly (A:U), or double stranded ribonucleic acid (RNA).
• Other exemplary vaccine immunostimulatory compounds include lipopolysaccharide (LPS), chemokines/cytokines, fungal beta-glucans (such as lentinan), imiquimod, CRX-527, and OM-174. Additional non
• Imiquimod has the following structure:
• TLR agonists include CRX-527 and OM-174.
• CRX-527 has the chemical name (2S)-2-[[(3R)-3- decanoyloxytetradecanoyl]amino]-3-[(2R,3R,4R,5S,6R)-3-[[(3R)-3- decanoyloxytetradecanoyl]amino]-4-[(3R)-3-decanoyloxytetradecanoyl]oxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)-5- pho sphonooxyoxan-2-yl] oxyprop anoic acid .
• OM-174 has the chemical name [(3R)-l-[[(2R,3R,4R,5S,6R)-2-[[(2R,3S,4R,5R,6R)-3,4- dihydroxy-5-[[(3R)-3-hydroxytetradecanoyl]amino]-6-phosphonooxyoxan-2-yl]methoxy]-4- hydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)-5-phosphonooxyoxan-3-yl]amino]- l-oxotetradecan-3-yl] dodecanoate.
• OM-174 is described in Onier et al., Int J Cancer.
• CpG Cytosine-Guanosine
• CpG-ODN Oligonucleotide
• CpG sites are regions of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) where a cysteine nucleotide occurs next to a guanine nucleotide in the linear sequence of bases along its length (the "p” represents the phosphate linkage between them and distinguishes them from a cytosine-guanine complementary base pairing).
• CpG sites play a pivotal role in DNA methylation, which is one of several endogenous mechanisms cells use to silence gene expression. Methylation of CpG sites within promoter elements can lead to gene silencing. In the case of cancer, it is known that tumor suppressor genes are often silenced while oncogenes, or cancer-inducing genes, are expressed.
• CpG sites in the promoter regions of tumor suppressor genes (which prevent cancer formation) have been shown to be methylated while CpG sites in the promoter regions of oncogenes are hypomethylated or unmethylated in certain cancers.
• the TLR-9 receptor binds unmethylated CpG sites in DNA.
• compositions described herein comprise CpG oligonucleotides.
• oligonucleotides are isolated from endogenous sources or synthesized in vivo or in vitro.
• exemplary sources of endogenous CpG oligonucleotides include, but are not limited to, microorganisms, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, viruses, molds, or parasites.
• endogenous CpG endogenous CpG
• oligonucleotides are isolated from mammalian benign or malignant neoplastic tumors. Synthetic CpG oligonucleotides are synthesized in vivo following transfection or transformation of template DNA into a host organism. Alternatively, Synthetic CpG oligonucleotides are synthesized in vitro by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or other art-recognized methods (Sambrook, J., Fritsch, E.F., and Maniatis, T., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, NY, Vol. 1, 2, 3 (1989), herein incorporated by reference). CpG oligonucleotides are presented for cellular uptake by dendritic cells.
• PCR polymerase chain reaction
• naked CpG oligonucleotides are used.
• the term "naked” is used to describe an isolated endogenous or synthetic polynucleotide (or oligonucleotide) that is free of additional substituents.
• CpG oligonucleotides are bound to one or more compounds to increase the efficiency of cellular uptake.
• CpG oligonucleotides are bound to one or more compounds to increase the stability of the oligonucleotide within the scaffold and/or dendritic cell.
• CpG oligonucleotides are optionally condensed prior to cellular uptake.
• CpG oligonucleotides are condensed using polyethylimine (PEI), a cationic polymer that increases the efficiency of cellular uptake into dendritic cells to yield cationic nanoparticles.
• PEI polyethylimine
• oligonucleotides may also be condensed using other polycationic reagents to yield cationic nanoparticles.
• additional non-limiting examples of polycationic reagents that may be used include poly-L-lysine (PLL) and polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers.
• PEI polyethylimine
• CpG oligonucleotides can be divided into multiple classes.
• ODNs encompassed by compositions, methods and devices of the present invention are stimulatory, neutral, or suppressive.
• the term “stimulatory” describes a class of CpG-ODN sequences that activate TLR9.
• the term “neutral” describes a class of CpG-ODN sequences that do not activate TLR9.
• the term “suppressive” describes a class of CpG-ODN sequences that inhibit TLR9.
• the term “activate TLR9” describes a process by which TLR9 initiates intracellular signaling. Stimulatory CpG-ODNs can further be divided into three types A, B and C, which differ in their immune-stimulatory activities.
• Type A stimulatory CpG ODNs are characterized by a phosphodiester central CpG-containing palindromic motif and a phosphorothioate 3' poly-G string. Following activation of TLR9, these CpG ODNs induce high IFN-a production from plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC). Type A CpG ODNs weakly stimulate TLR9-dependent NF- ⁇ signaling.
• Type B stimulatory CpG ODNs contain a full phosphorothioate backbone with one or more CpG dinucleotides. Following TLR9 activation, these CpG-ODNs strongly activate B cells. In contrast to Type A CpG-ODNs, Type B CpG-ODNS weakly stimulate IFN-a secretion.
• Type C stimulatory CpG ODNs comprise features of Types A and B.
• Type C CpG-ODNs contain a complete phosphorothioate backbone and a CpG containing palindromic motif. Similar to Type A CpG ODNs, Type C CpG ODNs induce strong IFN-a production from pDC. Simlar to Type B CpG ODNs, Type C CpG ODNs induce strong B cell stimulation.
• Exemplary stimulatory CpG ODNs comprise, but are not limited to, ODN 1585 (5'- ggGGTCAACGTTGAgggggg -3') (SEQ ID NO: 21), ODN 1668 (5'-tccatgacgttcctgatgct-3') (SEQ ID NO: 22), ODN 1826 (5'-tccatgacgttcctgacgtt-3') (SEQ ID NO: 23), ODN 2006 (5'- tcgtcgttttgtcgtttgtcgtcgttt-3') (SEQ ID NO: 24), ODN 2006-G5 (5'- TCGTCGTTTTGTCGTTTTGTCGTTGGGGG-3 ' ) (SEQ ID NO: 25), ODN 2216 (5'- ggGGGACGA:TCGTCgggggg-3 ' ) (SEQ ID NO: 26), ODN 2336 (5'- gggGACGAC:GTCGTGgggggg
• compositions, methods, and devices of the present invention comprise ODN
• CpG ODNs that do not stimulate TLR9 are encompassed by the present invention. These ODNs comprise the same sequence as their stimulatory counterparts but contain
• Exemplary neutral, or control, CpG ODNs encompassed by the present invention comprise, but are not limited to, ODN 1585 control, ODN 1668 control, ODN 1826 control, ODN 2006 control, ODN 2216 control, ODN 2336 control, ODN 2395 control, ODN M362 control (all InvivoGen).
• the present invention also encompasses any humanized version of the preceding CpG ODNs.
• aspects of the present subject matter relate to the use of immunostimulatory antibodies to stimulate or active cells of the immune system.
• Providing stimulation to immune cells such as T cells and dendritic cells within the tumor microenvironment improves the anti-tumor immune response.
• stimulation is provided using an immunostimulatory antibody that binds and agonizes a surface receptor on T cells or dendritic cells.
• T cell function is enhanced using one or more antibodies targeted to one or more co-stimulatory cell surface molecules, such as 4-1BB (CD137) and OX40 (CD134), leading to enhanced T cell proliferation and survival.
• dendritic cell activation is facilitated with one or more agonistic CD40 antibodies.
• these antibodies can lead to off target immune-related toxicities when applied systemically.
• Application of these antibodies at the site of action using a device or scaffold of the present subject matter circumvents this issue by focusing the dose at the desired site of action. Additionally, the clinical activity of immunostimulatory antibodies is improved by concentrating the dose thereof at the tumor site using a device or scaffold as disclosed herein.
• CD 137 is a surface molecule found on activated T cells that provides costimulation to these cells. Stimulation of CD137 results in increased T cell proliferation and protects T cells from activation induced cell death. CD 137 has been shown in several preclinical models to lead to antitumor activity. BMS-66513 (urelumab), one non-limiting example of an anti-CD137 antibody, has been tested in several clinical trials and shown to lead to partial remissions in disease, but with liver toxicity, among other auto-immune sequalae (Ascierto et al., 2010, Seminars in Oncology). PF- 05082566 is another example of an CD 137 antibody in clinical development. PF-05082566 is described in Fisher et al.
• CD 137 antibodies, including those that are not be suitable for systemic delivery, may be used in devices and scaffolds of the present subject matter.
• An exemplary non-limiting example of an amino acid sequence for CD 137 is publically available as GenBank No: AAH06196.1 (SEQ ID NO: 34).
• CD 134 is expressed primarily on activated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and provides co- stimulation when engaged. Engagement of CD 134 with a ligand such as and anti-CD 134 antibody promotes survival and expansion of T cells.
• Non-limiting examples of CD134 antibodies include 9B 12 and MEDI6469. 9B 12 is described in Curti et al. (2013) Cancer Res 73: 7189, the entire content of which is incorporated by reference. MEDI6469 is described in Leidner et al. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2015 ASCO Annual Meeting (May 29 - June 2, 2015). Vol 33, No 15_suppl ( May 20 Supplement), 2015: TPS6083, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
• An exemplary non-limiting example of an amino acid sequence for CD 134 is publically available as GenBank No: AAI05071.1 (SEQ ID NO: 35).
• CD40 is a surface receptor found on antigen-presenting cells such as dendritic cells.
• Agonistic anti-CD40 antibodies have shown limited activity in the clinic (Vonderheide and Glennie, 2013, Clinical Cancer Research).
• Non-limiting examples of CD40 antibodies include HCD122
• Lucatumumab is described in Fanale et al. (2014) Br J Haematol. 164(2):258-65, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
• CP-870,893 is described in Glaude et al. (2011) Cancer Immunol. Immunother. 60, 1009-1017 (2011), the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
• Dacetuzumab is described in de Vos et al. (2014) Journal of Hematology & Oncology20147:44, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. Chi Lob 7/4 is described in Vonderheide and Glennie (2013) Clin Cancer Res. 19(5): 1035-1043., the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
• GenBank No: AAH12419.1 SEQ ID NO: 36.
• cryogel or hydrogel is suitable as a delivery device for the immunomodulators described herein.
• a hydrogel (also called aquagel) is a network of polymer chains that are hydrophilic, and are sometimes found as a colloidal gel in which water is the dispersion medium. Hydrogels are highly absorbent (they can contain over 99% water) natural or synthetic polymers that possess a degree of flexibility very similar to natural tissue, due to their significant water content. Unlike conventional hydrogels, a unique characteristic of the devices described herein is that when an appropriate shear stress is applied, the deformable hydrogel is dramatically and reversibly compressed (up to 95% of its volume), resulting in injectable macroporous preformed scaffolds. This property allows the devices to be delivered via syringe with high precision to target sites.
• a click hydrogel or cryogel is a gel in which cross-linking between hydrogel or cryogel polymers is facilitated by click reactions between the polymers.
• Each polymer may contain one of more functional groups useful in a click reaction. Given the high level of specificity of the functional group pairs in a click reaction, active compounds can be added to the preformed device prior to or contemporaneously with formation of the hydrogel device by click chemistry.
• Non-limiting examples of click reactions that may be used to form click-hydrogels include Copper I catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition, strain-promoted assize-alkyne cycloaddition, thiol-ene photocoupling, Diels-Alder reactions, inverse electron demand Diels-Alder reactions, tetrazole-alkene photo-click reactions, oxime reactions, thiol-Michael addition, and aldehyde -hydrazide coupling.
• Non-limiting aspects of click hydrogels are described in Jiang et al. (2014) Biomaterials, 35:4969-4985, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
• a click alginate is utilized (see, e.g., PCT International Patent Application Publication No. WO 2015/154078 published October 8, 2015, hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety).
• exemplary click-hydrogel devices and scaffold materials include a hydrogel comprising a first polymer and a second polymer, where the first polymer is connected to the second polymer by linkers of formula (A):
• R 1 is -C 0 -C 6 alkyl-NR 2N -, -C 0 -C 6 alkyl -0-, or -C 0 -C 3 alkyl-C(O)-;
• R is a bond, aryl, or heteroaryl, wherein aryl and heteroaryl are optionally substituted with halogen, hydroxy, Ci-C 6 alkyl, Ci-C 6 alkoxy, (Ci- C 6 alkyl)amino, or di(Ci-C 6 alkyl)amino;
• R 3 is -C 0 -C 6 alkyl-NR 2N -, -C 0 -C 6 alkyl-O-, or -C 0 -C 3 alkyl-C(O)-; and R4 is hydrogen, d- C 6 alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl, wherein aryl and heteroaryl are optionally substituted with halogen, hydroxy, Ci-C 6 alkyl, Q-Cealkoxy, (Ci-C 6 alkyl)amino, or di(Ci-C 6 alkyl) amino.
• R is independently hydrogen, Ci-C 6 alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, R N, or R , wherein Ci-C 6 alkyl, aryl and heteroaryl are optionally substituted with halogen, hydroxy, Ci-C 6 alkyl, Ci-C 6 alkoxy, (Ci-C 6 alkyl)amino, or di(Ci-C 6 alkyl)amino.
• the hydrogel of the disclosure is wherein the linkers of formula (A) are of the form of formula (I):
• linkers of formula (I), (II), or (III) are optionally substituted at any suitable position.
• Another embodiment provides the linkers of formula (A) according to any preceding embodiment, wherein R 1 is
• R is independently hydrogen, Ci-C 6 alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, R N, or R , wherein Ci-C 6 alkyl, aryl and heteroaryl are optionally substituted with halogen, hydroxy, Ci-C 6 alkyl, Ci-C 6 alkoxy, (Ci-C 6 alkyl)amino, or di(Ci-C 6 alkyl)amino.
• Another embodiment provides the linkers of formula (A) according to any preceding embodiment, wherein R is a bond.
• linkers of formula (A) according to any preceding embodiment are those wherein R is
• pyridyl e. pyridyl, pyrimidyl, or pyrazinyl.
• Another embodiment provides the linkers of formula (A) according to any preceding embodiment, wherein R is
• R is independently hydrogen, Ci-C 6 alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, R N, or R , wherein Ci-C 6 alkyl, aryl and heteroaryl are optionally substituted with halogen, hydroxy, Ci-C 6 alkyl, Ci-C 6 alkoxy, (Ci-C 6 alkyl)amino, or di(Ci-C 6 alkyl)amino.
• the linkers of formula (A) according to any preceding embodiment are those wherein R 4 is hydrogen.
• linkers of formula (A) according to any preceding embodiment are those wherein R 4 is
• pyridyl pyrimidyl, or pyrazinyl.
• Another embodiment provides the linkers of formula (A) according to any preceding embodiment, wherein R 4 is Ci-C 6 alkyl, Ci-C 3 alkyl, or methyl.
• the hydrogel comprises a plurality of linkers of formula (A); or formula (I), formula (II), or formula (III).
• the invention also includes a hydrogel comprising an interconnected network of a plurality of polymers, e.g., including a first polymer and a second polymer.
• the polymers are connected via a plurality of linkers of formula (A), or of formula (I), formula (II), or formula (III).
• Some embodiments of the disclosure provide hydrogels wherein the first polymer and the second polymer are independently soluble polymers. In other embodiments, the first polymer and the second polymer are independently water-soluble polymers.
• the concentration of crosslinks per hydrogel is at least about 10% (w/w), e.g., at least about 10%, about 15%, about 20%, about 30%, about 40%, about 50%, about 60%, about 70%, about 80%, about 90%, about 95%, about 97%, about 99%, or about 100% (w/w).
• the first polymer and the second polymer can be the same or different. In some embodiments
• the first polymer and the second polymer are the same type of polymer.
• the first polymer and/or the second polymer comprise a polysaccharide.
• the first polymer and the second polymer can both comprise a polysaccharide.
• the first polymer and/or the second polymer are independently selected from the group consisting of alginate, chitosan, polyethylene glycol (PEG), gelatin, hyaluronic acid, collagen, chondroitin, agarose, polyacrylamide, and heparin.
• the first polymer and the second polymer are the same polymer independently selected from the group consisting of alginate, chitosan, polyethylene glycol (PEG), gelatin, hyaluronic acid, collagen, chondroitin, agarose, polyacrylamide, and heparin.
• a click hydrogel may be prepared in a process: a) providing a first polymer comprising a first click reaction moiety and a second polymer comprising a second click reaction moiety.
• the first click reaction moiety and the second click reaction moiety may be react with each other in a copper I catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition, strain-promoted assize-alkyne
• the first click reaction moiety is a diene moiety and the second click reaction moiety is a dienophile moiety.
• the first click reaction moiety is a tetrazine moiety and the second click reaction moiety is a norbornene moiety.
• tetrazine and “tetrazine moiety” include molecules that comprise 1,2,4,5-tetrazine substituted with suitable spacer for linking to the polymer (e.g., alkylamines like methylamine or pentylamine), and optionally further substituted with one or more substituents at any available position.
• suitable spacer for linking to the polymer e.g., alkylamines like methylamine or pentylamine
• exemplary tetrazine moieties suitable for the compositions and methods of the disclosure are descrived in Karver et al. Bioconjugate Chem. 22(2011):2263- 2270, and WO 2014/ 065860, both incorporated herein by reference).
• norbornene and norbornene moieties include but are not limited to norbornadiene and norbornene groups further comprising suitable spacer for linking to the polymer (e.g., alkylamines like methylamine or pentylamine), and optionally further substituted with one or more substituents at any available position.
• suitable spacer for linking to the polymer e.g., alkylamines like methylamine or pentylamine
• Such moieties include, for example, norbornene-5-methylamine and norbornadienemethylamine.
• the invention features a cell-compatible and optionally, cell-adhesive, highly crosslinked hydrogel (e.g., cryogel) polymer composition comprising open interconnected pores, wherein the hydrogel (e.g., cryogel) is characterized by shape memory following deformation by compression or dehydration.
• the device has a high density of open interconnected pores.
• the hydrogel e.g., cryogel
• the hydrogel comprises a crosslinked gelatin polymer or a crosslinked alginate polymer.
• polymer compositions from which the cryogel or hydrogel is fabricated include alginate, hyaluronic acid, gelatin, heparin, dextran, carob gum, PEG, PEG derivatives including PEG-co-PGA and PEG-peptide conjugates.
• the techniques can be applied to any biocompatible polymers, e.g. collagen, chitosan, carboxymethylcellulose, pullulan, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA), Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm), or Poly(acrylic acid) (PAAc).
• the composition comprises an alginate-based
• the composition comprises a gelatin-based hydrogel/cryogel.
• Cryogels are a class of materials with a highly porous interconnected structure that are produced using a cryotropic gelation (or cryogelation) technique. Cryogels also have a highly porous structure. Typically, active compounds are added to the cryogel device after the freeze- formation of the pore/wall structure of the cryogel. Cryogels are characterized by high porosity, e.g., at least about 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, or 95% pores with thin pore walls that are characterized by high density of polymer crosslinking. The walls of cryogels are typically dense and highly cross-linked, enabling them to be compressed through a needle into a subject without permanent deformation or substantial structural damage.
• the pore walls comprise at least about 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 10-40% or more polymer.
• a polymer concentration of about 0.5-4% (before the cryogelation) is used, and the concentration increases substantially by the completion of cryogelation.
• cryogelation comprises a technique in which polymerization-crosslinking reactions are conducted in quasi-frozen reaction solution. Non- limiting examples of cryogelation techniques are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No.
• cryogels compared to conventional macroporous hydrogels obtained by phase separation are their high reversible deformability.
• Cryogels may be extremely soft but can be deformed and reform their shape. They are very tough, and can withstand high levels of deformations, such as elongation and torsion; they can also be squeezed under mechanical force to drain out their solvent content.
• improved deformability properties of alginate cryogels originate from the high crosslinking density of the unfrozen liquid channels of the reaction system.
• cryoGelMA Methacrylated gelatin cryogel
• the base material is click alginate (PCT International Patent Application Publication No. WO 2015/154078 published October 8, 2015, hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety).
• the base material contains laponite (commercially available silicate clay used in many consumer products such as cosmetics).
• Laponite has a large surface area and highly negative charge density which allows it to adsorb positively charged moieties on a variety of proteins and other biologically active molecules by an electrostatic interaction, allowing drug loading. When placed in an environment with a low concentration of drug, adsorbed drug releases from the laponite in a sustained manner. This system allows release of a more flexible array of immunomodulators compared to the base material alone.
• a device or scaffold is loaded (e.g., soaked with) with one or more active compounds after polymerization.
• device or scaffold polymer forming material is mixed with one or more active compounds before polymerization.
• a device or scaffold polymer forming material is mixed with one or more active compounds before polymerization, and hen is loaded with more of the same or one or more additional active compounds after polymerization.
• pore size or total pore volume of a device or scaffold is selected to influence the release of compounds from the device or scaffold.
• Exemplary porosities e.g., nanoporous, microporous, and macroporous scaffolds and devices
• total pore volumes e.g., about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, or 95%) are described herein.
• Increased pore size and total pore volume increases the amount of compounds that can be delivered into or near a tumor.
• a pore size or total pore volume is selected to increase the speed at which active ingredients exit the device or scaffold.
• an active ingredient may be incorporated into the scaffold material of a hydrogel or cryogel, e.g., to achieve continuous release of the active ingredient from the scaffold or device over a longer period of time compared to active ingredient that may diffuse from a pore cavity.
• Pores may be, e.g., nanoporous, microporous, or macroporous.
• the diameter of nanopores is less than about 10 nm.
• Micropores are in the range of about 100 nm to about 20 ⁇ in diameter.
• Macropores are greater than about 20 ⁇ (e.g. , greater than about 100 ⁇ or greater than about 400 ⁇ ).
• Exemplary macropore sizes include 50 ⁇ , 100 ⁇ , 150 ⁇ , 200 ⁇ , 250 ⁇ , 300 ⁇ , 350 ⁇ , 400 ⁇ , 450 ⁇ , 500 ⁇ , 550 ⁇ , and 600 ⁇ .
• Macropores are those of a size that permit a eukaryotic cell to traverse into or out of the composition.
• a macroporous composition has pores of about 400 ⁇ to 500 ⁇ in diameter. The preferred pore size depends on the application.
• Dendritic cells survey tumors and collect tumor antigen from dying cancer cells, but are locally suppressed by the tumor to prevent the generation of anti-tumor T cell responses. This tumor-induced DC suppression is reversed by attracting and accumulating DCs within a biomaterial administered at the tumor that provides sustained release of a pro-maturation stimulus.
• a biodegradable polymer was used to create porous scaffolds that could be injected through a conventional needle and provide sustained delivery of granulocyte macrophage colony- stimulating factor (GM-CSF) as a DC accumulation factor, and CpG oligonucleotides (CpG-ODN) as a DC maturation stimulus.
• GM-CSF granulocyte macrophage colony- stimulating factor
• CpG-ODN CpG oligonucleotides
• Subcutaneous injection of GM-CSF-releasing scaffolds led to massive immune cell infiltration of the scaffold and the enrichment of DCs at the injection site.
• CpG-ODN released from these scaffolds could increase expression of surface markers on DCs that are indicative of maturation, and promote their secretion of interleukin 12, a cytokine associated with anti-tumor cytotoxic T cell responses.
• Deployment of GM-CSF-releasing scaffolds at a tumor resulted in pronounced immune cell accumulation at the scaffold injection site,
• Immune cell localization was accomplished using delivery of a composition within a tumor using an engineered biomaterial releasing immune-modulating factors. Successful maturation of DCs accumulated using this strategy results in the generation of anti-tumor immunity, without the need for ex vivo cell manipulation or knowledge/availability of defined or purified tumor antigens.
• a biomaterial loaded with the factors further includes an inhibitor of DC suppression and a chemotherapeutic agent (as a source of antigen for vaccination) is administered to a tumor location.
• a chemotherapeutic agent as a source of antigen for vaccination
• Some non-limiting examples of biomaterial devices and scaffolds are loaded only with immune cell localization factors, or only inhibitors of immune suppression, or only chemotherapeutic agents.
• Non-limiting examples of biomaterial devices and scaffolds do not include immune cell localization factors, or do not include inhibitors of immune suppression, or do not include chemotherapeutic agents.
• Various combinations of such active compounds are disclosed herein for use in biomaterials.
• CpG or poly I:C is optionally condensed, e.g., using a cationic condensing agent such as poly(ethylenimine) (PEI) or cationic gelatin.
• PEI poly(ethylenimine)
• Immune cells come into the biomaterial and acquire and are stimulated by the factors.
• the tumor itself is the site of vaccination. Rather than using cancer cells that have been collected from the patient, the tumor itself is used as the source of tumor antigen.
• the chemotherapeutic agent is a means to locally generate antigen. This approach provides an injectable platform that alleviates the need to use any patient-derived material in generating an anti-tumor immune response.
• Various implementations of the present subject matter relate to the administration of an inhibitor of T cell or dendritic cell suppression and scaffolds or devices comprising an inhibitor of T cell or dendritic cell suppression.
• inhibitors include TGF- ⁇ pathway inhibitors, STAT3 pathway inhibitors, and IDO pathway inhibitors, as well as immune checkpoint inhibitors such as PD-1 pathway inhibitors, CTLA-4 pathway inhibitors, LAG-3 pathway inhibitors, CD276 (also known as B7-H3) pathway inhibitors, and TIM3 pathway inhibitors.
• TGF- ⁇ dampens tumor immuno surveillance and polarizes innate immune cells towards an immature differentiation status that prevents optimal anti- tumor immunity.
• STAT3 pathway promotes the production of immune inhibitory cytokines within the tumor, dampens anti-tumor T-helper 1 -mediated immunity, and inhibits dendritic cell maturation. Small molecule inhibitors of these pathways and other
• immunosuppressive pathways described above are delivered to the tumor using the cryogel or hydrogel devices.
• Other approaches to alter the tumor microenvironment may also be utilized, e.g., antibodies against immune checkpoint proteins.
• CTLA-4 Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated antigen 4
• Blockade of CTLA-4 has been shown to augment T-cell activation and proliferation.
• Inhibitors of CTLA-4 include anti-CTLA-4 antibodies.
• Anti-CTLA-4 antibodies bind to CTLA-4 and block the interaction of CTLA-4 with its ligands CD80/CD86 expressed on antigen presenting cells and thereby blocking the negative down regulation of the immune responses elicited by the interaction of these molecules.
• anti-CTLA-4 antibodies examples include anti-CTLA-4 antibodies.
• One anti-CDLA-4 antibody is tremelimumab, (ticilimumab, CP-675,206).
• the anti-CTLA-4 antibody is ipilimumab (also known as 10D1, MDX-D010) a fully human monoclonal IgG antibody that binds to CTLA-4.
• Ipilimumab is marketed under the name YervoyTM and has been approved for the treatment of unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
• immune-checkpoint inhibitors include lymphocyte activation gene-3 (LAG-3) inhibitors, such as IMP321, a soluble Ig fusion protein (Brignone et al., 2007, J. Immunol.
• immune-checkpoint inhibitors include B7 inhibitors, such as B7-H3 and B7- H4 inhibitors.
• B7 inhibitors such as B7-H3 and B7- H4 inhibitors.
• MGA271 the anti-B7-H3 antibody MGA271 (Loo et al., 2012, Clin. Cancer Res. July 15 (18) 3834).
• TIM3 T-cell immunoglobulin domain and mucin domain 3) inhibitors (Fourcade et al., 2010, J. Exp. Med. 207:2175-86 and Sakuishi et al., 2010, J. Exp. Med. 207:2187-94).
• PDCD1, PD-1 transmembrane programmed cell death 1 protein
• PD-L1, CD274 transmembrane programmed cell death 1 protein
• PD-L1 on the surface of a cell binds to PDl on the surface of an immune cell, which inhibits the activity of the immune cell.
• Upregulation of PD-L1 on the cancer cell surface may allow them to evade the host immune system by inhibiting T cells that might otherwise attack the tumor cell.
• Antibodies that bind to either PD-1 or PD-L1 and therefore block the interaction may allow the T-cells to attack the tumor.
• IgG4 PDl antibody called Nivolumab has been described (Pardoll, DM, 2012, Nature reviews. Cancer 12 (4): 252-64). Many of the immune checkpoints are initiated by ligand-receptor interactions; thus, hey can be readily blocked by antibodies or modulated by recombinant forms of ligands or receptors. Other examples of antibody-based blockers include Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte- associated antigen 4 (CTLA4)-specific antibodies.
• CTL4 Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte- associated antigen 4
• the antibody is a polyclonal antibody, a monoclonal antibody, a chimeric antibody, a humanized antibody, or a human antibody.
• the anti-PD-1 antibody is nivolumab, pembrolizumab, or
• pidilizumab Nivolumab is described in Johnson et al. (2015) Ther Adv Med Oncol 7 (2): 97-106; and Sundar R et al. (2015) Ther Adv Med Oncol 7 (2): 85-96, the entire content of each of which is incorporated herein by reference.
• Pembrolizumab is described in Hamid et al. (2013) New England Journal of Medicine 369 (2): 134-44, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
• Pidilizumab is described in Westin et al.
• the anti-PD-Ll antibody is BMS-936559 or MPDL3280A.
• BMS- 936559 is described in Brahmer JR et al. (2012) N Engl J Med. 2012;366:2455, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
• MPDL3280A is described in Herbst RS et al. (2013) J Clin Oncol. 31(suppl; abstr 3000); Soria JC et al. (2013) European Cancer Congress Amsterdam (abstr 3408); Hamid O et al. (2013) J Clin Oncol31(suppl; abstr 9010); and Kohrt H et al. (2013) J Immunother Cancer. 2013; l(suppl 1):012, the entire content of each of which is incorporated herein by reference.
• the anti-CTLA-4 antibody is ipilimumab.
• Ipilimumab is described in "Yervoy (ipilimumab) (package insert)" Princeton, NJ: Bristol-Myers Squibb Company; Dec 2013. Retrieved 29 October 2014, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
• phrases such as "at least one of or "one or more of may occur followed by a conjunctive list of elements or features.
• the term “and/or” may also occur in a list of two or more elements or features. Unless otherwise implicitly or explicitly contradicted by the context in which it is used, such a phrase is intended to mean any of the listed elements or features individually or any of the recited elements or features in combination with any of the other recited elements or features.
• the phrases “at least one of A and ⁇ ;” “one or more of A and ⁇ ;” and “A and/or B” are each intended to mean "A alone, B alone, or A and B together.”
• a similar interpretation is also intended for lists including three or more items.
• the phrases "at least one of A, B, and C;” “one or more of A, B, and C;” and “A, B, and/or C” are each intended to mean “A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A and B and C together.”
• use of the term “based on,” above and in the claims is intended to mean, “based at least in part on,” such that an unrecited feature or element is also permissible
• 0.2-5 mg is a disclosure of 0.2 mg, 0.3 mg, 0.4 mg, 0.5 mg, 0.6 mg etc. up to 5.0 mg.
• a small molecule is a compound that is less than 2000 daltons in mass.
• the molecular mass of the small molecule is preferably less than 1000 daltons, more preferably less than 600 daltons, e.g. , the compound is less than 500 daltons, 400 daltons, 300 daltons, 200 daltons, or 100 daltons.
• transitional term “comprising,” which is synonymous with “including,” “containing,” or “characterized by,” is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.
• an "expression vector” is a DNA or RNA vector that is capable of transforming a cell and of effecting expression of one or more specified polynucleotides.
• the expression vector is also capable of replicating within the host cell.
• Expression vectors may be, e.g. , eukaryotic, and are typically viruses or plasmids.
• Expression vectors of the present invention contain regulatory sequences such as transcription control sequences, translation control sequences, origins of replication, and other regulatory sequences that are compatible with the host cell (e.g., a cell of a subject such as a tumor cell, immune cell, or cells surrounding a device or scaffold after it is administered) and that control the expression of polynucleotides of the present invention.
• expression vectors of the present invention include transcription control sequences.
• Transcription control sequences are sequences which control the initiation, elongation, and termination of transcription. Particularly important transcription control sequences are those which control transcription initiation such as promoter, enhancer, operator and repressor sequences.
• Suitable transcription control sequences include any transcription control sequence that can function in a cell or cells of a subject. Such regulatory sequences may be obtained from, e.g. , viruses or eukaryotic organisms, or may be chemically synthesized. A variety of such transcription control sequences are known to those skilled in the art. Particularly preferred transcription control sequences are promoters active in directing transcription in the cells of a subject, either
• an expression vector is expressed transiently.
• This study provides in vivo proof of concept tumor data relating to the use of hydrogels to deliver immune modulators to tumors.
• GM-CSF was used as a recruitment/growth factor for immune cells in combination with Imiquimod (an FDA approved TLR7 ligand), which served as a danger signal. These two agents were used to bring immune cells such as dendritic cells into the tumor where the immune cells could be stimulated by the danger signal provided.
• the GM-CSF and Imiquimod were mixed with a hydrogel that was injected into established tumors in mice.
• mice injected with 2xl0 5 B 16-mOVA cells (B 16-F10 melanoma cells expressing inner cell membrane bound ovalbumin as a model antigen) were administered hydrogels 11 and 13 days after tumor cell injection.
• Click alginate hydrogels having following compositions were injected into the tumors: Blank (hydrogel only), GM-CSF (hydrogel+1 ug GM-CSF), Imiquimod (hydrogel+1 mg Imiquimod), GM-CSF+Imiquimod (hydrogel+1 ug GM-CSF+1 mg Imiquimod).
• Tumor dimensions were measured using calipers and used to calculate tumor area, which is plotted in FIG. 25A-D.
• the GM-CSF+Imiquimod hydrogel achieved a higher degree of mouse survival than any of the other hydrogels used in this study. Whereas 40% of the mice receiving GM- CSF+Imiquimod hydrogels were alive at least 40 days after tumor injection, every mouse receiving Blank hydrogels, GM-CSF hydrogels, or Imiquimod hydrogels died within 35 days. See FIG. 26.
• mice administered GM-CSF+Imiquimod hydrogel compared to the other treatment groups. 21 days after tumor inoculation, peripheral blood was taken from mice that were still alive in each group. The cells were stimulated with a peptide from ovalbumin and the fraction of CD8+ T cells responding to the peptide was quantified using flow cytometry. The data (FIG. 27) indicate that in some mice, large T cell responses are induced by peritumoral injection of hydrogels containing GM-CSF and Imiquimod. The response achieved using GM-CSF+Imiquimod hydrogels was greater than Blank hydrogels, GM-CSF hydrogels, or Imiquimod hydrogels.
• FIG. 28 depicts data showing (1) tumor growth in a blank hydrogel treated mouse and (2) regression of growing tumors in mice of the GM-CSF+Imiquimod group.
• the data show a reduced tumor size in the GM-CSF+Imiquimod group relative to the blank hydrogel group.
• the flow cytometry plots in FIG. 28 show much larger CD8 T cell responses in the surviving GM- CSF+Imiquimod mice than in the lone surviving blank hydrogel mouse at day 21 after inoculation.

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